Ouseley report (July 2008, October 2011)
Last updated 11 April 2013
Independent review into disproportionate regulatory outcomes for black and minority ethnic solicitors
In July 2008 we published Lord Herman Ouseley's report following his review into disproportionate regulatory outcomes for black and minority ethnic solicitors.
Download Lord Ouseley's report (PDF 542K, July 2008)
Lord Ouseley was commissioned to carry out his review by a working party set up by the SRA and chaired by Anesta Weekes QC. The working party was set up in response to the report we published in 2006, which found disproportionality in regulatory outcomes for black and minority ethnic solicitors.
Download the 2006 report (PDF 224K, May 2006)
In response to Lord Ouseley's report, we published our first Equality and Diversity Strategy 2009 - 2011, supported by a strategic action plan which incorporated Lord Ouseley's recommendations. A summary of how we performed against the strategic action plan is set out in our 2010 progress report.
Our strategic approach to equality and diversity for 2011 - 2012 is set out in our Equality Framework, which incorporates our equality objectives and action plan. A summary of how we performed against the equality framework action plan in 2012 is set out in our 2011 progress report.
Reviewing SRA progress
Following Lord Ouseley's independent review in 2008, we set up the External Implementation Group to oversee our implementation the recommendations. The group is made up of the chairs of a number of equality groups representing BME solicitors and chaired by Lord Herman Ouseley.
The group has been meeting regularly and has been working with us to help us deliver our equality and diversity strategy and to help us identify the equality impact of the work we do. The group has looked at a wide variety of areas over the years, including professional indemnity insurance arrangements, the quality assurance scheme for advocates and the concerns raised by a number of BME solicitors during 2012 about unfavorable treatment.
As well as chairing the External Implementation Group, Lord Ouseley has conducted two interim reviews into specific areas of activity within the SRA, to evaluate the SRA's progress since his report in 2008.
Interim review of leadership, engagement and complaints - June 2009
The review focused on Lord Ouseley's recommendation that the SRA takes action "to provide visible and demonstrable leadership to ensure that equality and diversity is embedded into the culture and work of the SRA".
Interim review of diversity in workplace - October 2011
The review focused on Lord Ouseley's finding that the SRA needed to have in place sound human resources policies and processes that would enable it to recruit the best diverse talent and to establish an inclusive culture.
The SRA has taken on board the issues raised in the report and has been addressing many of the concerns raised.