The Law Society is proposing to hire a high-profile head of diversity as part of a new framework to promote equality and diversity in the profession. Other measures, expected to be discussed at Council this week, include signing up 100 law firms to a Diversity Charter to be launched this spring.

The framework looks to establish an ‘effective equality and diversity team’ at the Society. The team will be recruited from ‘very experienced professionals from across the private and public sectors, including E&D practitioners from law firms’, Council papers say.

Despite tough economic conditions, chief executive Des Hudson is ensuring funds are available ‘to secure the best candidate for the [lead] post’.

The Diversity Charter will be a commitment by signatories to develop and implement best practice in diversity. Initiated by the Society of Asian Lawyers, it is modelled on a US scheme which encourages leading companies to retain and instruct only firms that meet diversity criteria.

The Society will also complete and publish research on the pay of solicitors from seven different ‘diversity strands’.