SRA – Firm Diversity Data Requirements – deadline 23 July 2023

Posted on06 July 2023

All regulated firms, regardless of size, have to collect, report and publish data about the diversity make-up of their workforce every two years.

Reporting your data in 2023

You can now report your diversity data to us. The deadline is 23 July 2023.

Before you report, you will need to organise the diversity data by the specified role categories. This is so you can input the data for each role category in turn.

We have made a change to the solicitor partner category this year. Therefore, you will need to report separately for full equity solicitor partners and salaried or partial equity solicitor partners.

We have also made a slight change to the wording of our question on parental occupation to align with Social Mobility Commission guidance.

If you need access to the data you reported to us in 2021 please contact us.

Please make sure you publish a summary of your firm's diversity data in a way that does not identify anyone. Read more in 'Publishing data'. We will be checking firms have complied with this regulatory requirement later this year.

How we will use the data

We may use the information we collect from firms in the following ways:

To update our law firm diversity tool so you can see the make-up of law firms across the sector.
To inform our publications or engagement with people as part of our work to promote diversity in the profession.
In our regulatory reform work to help us monitor the diversity impact of the changes we make.
To help us meet our public sector equality duty, for example monitoring our decision-making by protected characteristics.
To facilitate research and analysis by others.
To meet reporting requirements to the Legal Services Board or the Ministry of Justice.

We will make sure that no-one can be identified from any data that we publish or share with others.

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS