Firms and chambers forced to publish diversity data

Controversial plans to improve access to the legal profession by forcing law firms and chambers to publish internal diversity and social mobility data on their websites have been approved by the Legal Services Board (LSB). Firms and chambers will soon be required to include on their websites information about the socio-economic background, age, race and gender of their workforce, as well as information about disabilities.

LSB chief executive Chris Kenny said: "Improving the diversity of the legal profession at access level continues to be a priority, but we also need to look at progression and retention across all levels of the workforce. While there are some positive initiatives in place, greater transparency is needed to maintain momentum, measure progress and better inform consumers. This commitment to the publication of diversity surveys should help to ensure that the workforce better reflects communities from which it is drawn and will contribute to driving social mobility in England and Wales."

The LSB also expects that from 2012 approved regulators will oblige the majority of law firms and chambers to carry out regular surveys into the make-up of their workforce, enabling individuals to self-classify against the characteristics laid out in the Equality Act of age, gender, disability, ethnic group, religion or belief, sexual orientation and caring responsibilities. The body also specifies that information on socio-economic background should be collected.