A culture of achieving high billable hours at all costs and a lack of flexibility in working practices is holding the legal sector back from embracing diversity, a new study has found.

Research from the Legal Services Board found evidence of ‘inequality and inequity’ in the profession with certain features, traditions and practices holding back efforts to create a more inclusive environment.

The oversight regulator interviewed 30 professionals form under-represented groups trying to get into or already within the legal profession.

Lawyers described a culture of working long hours to achieve certain billable hours which might exclude some groups, and working in outdated and inaccessible physical environments. There were also reports that clients expected to work with the ‘right’ sort of person and suggestions of a lack of HR services in some chambers and firms.

New entrants to the law shared their experiences of less prestigious universities being left off drop-down lists on application portals and an expectation to show a record of unpaid work experience despite working while studying or having caring responsibilities. Some said they were denied flexible working requests to help them manage health conditions or that they were required to take annual leave to attend medical appointments.

One disabled participant in the research recounted how they worked until 10pm and on weekends to reach billing targets, but when they asked for a break to protect their health, bosses were ‘hostile’.

Another female interviewee said she felt a ‘burden’ when asking for flexible working and described a profession ‘run by men and anything that took time away from billable hours made you a liability’.

The LSB said practices shown in the study ‘showed examples of systemic barriers that require a change of mindset and culture across the profession as well as practices and policies that support inclusion’.

Matthew Hill, chief executive, said: ‘The insights provided by this study highlight enormous opportunities to make things better by changing the way the sector does business. We hope anyone serious about inclusion in the legal services sector will use the research to tackle the barriers that lawyers face every day.’

The LSB said the research will inform its activity on equality, diversity and inclusion. It will consult on a policy statement later this year.

 

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