This Westminster Legal Policy Forum on 20 September will look at the latest developments and next steps for equality, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession.
The agenda includes a discussion on how the legal sector can support the career progression of minority groups to increase the visible diversity in senior legal roles, looking at examples from other sectors and assessing the success of mentoring and sponsorship techniques.
The conference includes keynote sessions with Judge Anuja Dhir KC, Judicial Commissioner, Judicial Appointments Commission; Richard Orpin, Director, Regulation and Policy, Legal Services Board; Paul Philip, Chief Executive, Solicitors Regulation Authority; and Rupika Madhura, Director of Standards, Bar Standards Board.
Sessions in the agenda include:
- Regulation: role in promoting EDI in the legal sector – regulatory requirements and priorities – initiatives and next steps – sector responsibilities – future areas of focus
- Developing a diverse system: practical approaches – assessing progress – best practice in tackling barriers – reporting and use of data – setting frameworks and targets – priorities moving forward
- Social mobility: widening access to legal education – attracting new lawyers – recruitment and retention – from mentoring to sponsorships – fostering progression to senior roles
- Workplace culture: developing inclusivity to support career progression – opportunities for flexible working – supporting mental health and wellbeing
- The judiciary: priorities, next steps and prospects for improving diversity in judicial and senior legal roles