Social mobility lacking in UK professional services sector
City A.M. and FE News cover the report from the City of London Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce (of which the Law Society is a member) which revealed an over representation of privately educated people in the professional services sector in the UK.
37% of respondents from a working class background felt their background held them back at work, compared to 18% from a professional background. Just 1% of respondents in senior positions were ethnic minority women from a working-class background.
In the legal sector statistics from the SRA show that 23% of lawyers attended a fee-paying school, compared to the national average of 7.5%.
The Law Society is launching a social mobility web hub, which will help members take action on social mobility.
“As a child brought up in a single-parent household on a council estate I can understand why people from similar backgrounds may feel left out in the workplace” said Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce.
“Not having the connections others may have had made it more difficult for me to break into and progress in the legal sector.
“The industry risks amplifying existing inequalities if we do not look at diversity and inclusion holistically.”
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Ensuring all LGBTQI people thrive in the workplace
Jacqui Rhule-Dagher, a member of our LGBT+ division committee, writes for DIVA about how, by recognising intersectionality, we can support all LGBT+ people in the workplace.
Legal Tech
Neuroscience News cover our neurotech report.
The research raises questions about how technologies which interact with the brain could be used in future and some of the previously unexplored legal implications neurotechnology might give rise to.
The UK legal sector is to receive £4 million of technology funding, according to Today’s Conveyancer. The investment is to achieve a second phase of the LawtechUK programme which aims to transform the legal sector through technology and education.
Law Society vice president, Lubna Shuja said “Research from KPMG commissioned by the Law Society showed the UK ranks second only to the US for legal services, contributing £60bn gross value added to the UK economy and employing 552,000 people.
“As we work with hybrid or flexible models, technology will play a prominent role so the profession can continue to deliver high-quality legal services to their clients globally.”
Cyber insurance
New Law Journal covers our advice to law firms that it is worth investing in cyber insurance.
“It’s not a strict regulatory requirement for solicitors to purchase cyber insurance―but it’s a sensible precaution,” said Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce.
“Failure to purchase such cover may conflict with solicitors’ regulatory responsibility to have “adequate and appropriate insurance”, or leave them exposed to regulatory action for data breaches.”
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Law Society elections
New Law Journal reports that criminal law solicitor Richard Atkinson has been elected deputy vice president of the Law Society. Richard, a duty solicitor and higher rights advocate, will take office in October, before becoming vice president in 2023 and president in 2024.
“As lawyers we need to be courageous and speak out on behalf of those less able, for the independence of the legal system and institutions that are key to a functioning democracy,” said Richard Atkinson.
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SIF
The SRA has published a discussion paper covering next steps on SIF, New Law Journal reports.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said “Consumers trust their solicitor is adequately and appropriately insured, and that they will be compensated for any losses on the rare occasion something goes wrong.”
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Legal risks of Don’t Pay UK
Gary Rycroft, a member of our council membership committee, is quoted in Upday News about the legal risks of not paying your energy bills as part of the Don’t Pay UK campaign.
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