The gap between men’s and women’s representation at partner level has narrowed over the past two years, with 37% of partners now women, new data shows. The figure, from the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s biennial collection of diversity data, is two percentage points up on the previous count in 2021. Meanwhile women now make up 53% of the solicitor profession, but from 52% in 2021.
The figures published today show that gender and racial diversity in law firms continues to improve - but with a continuing gap between small and large firms. For example at in firms with more than 50 partners, only 28% are women.
Meanwhile, 19% of lawyers working across all firms were of Black, Asian or minority ethnic origin, up from 18% in 2021 and 14% in 2015. This group is made up of 12% Asian lawyers, 3% Black, 3% mixed/multiple and 1% of lawyers from other minority ethnic backgrounds. But while 17% of partners are from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background, a significantly higher proportion work in one-partner firms (36%) than any other firm size. This proportion decreases as the firm size increases, with just 8% of partners from these backgrounds in the largest firms.
The proportion of solicitors from a ‘privileged’ background is falling slowly. The proportion with parents from a ‘professional’ background fell from 60% in 2019 to 57% in 2023. The proportion of lawyers who attended independent/fee paying schools decreased from 23% in 2015 to 21% in 2023.
People reporting a disability make up only 6% of lawyers, compared with 16% in the UK working population, the SRA said, suggesting this might be due to under-reporting.
Paul Philip, SRA chief executive, said: ‘A diverse and inclusive legal profession which reflects the wider community is not only good for the public, but good for legal businesses themselves. It benefits everyone to have the most talented people from all backgrounds able to work and progress in the legal sector. Things are slowly improving, but there is still more to do.’
