Lord Ouseley's report on disproportionate regulatory outcomes for BME solicitors
14 August 2008
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) welcomes and has already begun to implement key recommendations of Lord Ouseley's independent review of disproportionate regulatory outcomes for black and minority ethnic (BME) solicitors.
The review, published today, was commissioned by the SRA and the Working Party chaired by Anesta Weekes QC, which includes members of groups representing BME solicitors.
The SRA has also undertaken to publish a new equality and diversity strategy in September, addressing the other issues covered by the review.
Lord Ouseley found no evidence of any inappropriate findings made against solicitors by the SRA and acknowledged its commitment to equality and diversity. However, he identified various weaknesses in the SRA's processes which need to be addressed urgently. He particularly drew attention to the vulnerability of BME solicitors working on their own or in small practices-firms which tend to score higher in the SRA's risk assessment than larger ones.
SRA Chair Peter Williamson said: "We thank Lord Ouseley and his team for this thorough and detailed review. We welcome the conclusion that no penalties were imposed inappropriately, but agree that we still have some way to go before our commitment to equality and diversity is embedded in all we do.
"The SRA has already started to address some long-standing issues, by overhauling our decision making processes, publishing our criteria, starting equality impact assessments, setting up a diversity working group, commissioning research and undertaking staff training.
"We now need to build on that by speedily implementing Lord Ouseley's key recommendations. Henceforth, our strengthened Equality and Diversity unit will report directly to the chief executive. I will lead a group of Board members which will oversee the work."
The SRA will
- finalise its equality and diversity strategy and the Board's strategic plan, informed by the findings of Lord Ouseley's review, with regular public reports on progress,
- improve recruitment procedures to enhance the diversity of the SRA's people (both employees, particularly at senior levels, and Board and committee members),
- introduce a programme for all staff to embed the organisation's values, including enhanced training and support to ensure they understand, and are committed to, equality and diversity,
- improve monitoring and auditing to enable problems to be identified and dealt with,
- introduce a system for dealing with complaints of discrimination, and
- intensify engagement with BME solicitors and a diverse range of consumers, to ensure their needs are met.
SRA Chief Executive Antony Townsend commented: "The SRA is fully committed to progressing Lord Ouseley's recommendations, so it can demonstrate that it is fair, consistent and transparent in its dealings with all solicitors. We must be able to satisfy our stakeholders that the principles of equality and diversity are firmly embedded in the SRA's policies and procedures.
"We also need a clearer understanding of the factors outside our immediate control that appear to place some BME solicitors at greater risk of regulatory action. The key to success will lie in a partnership between the SRA and BME solicitors to identify and address the factors which cause this increased risk."
Read comments by Anesta Weekes
Notes
- Lord Ouseley's report is on the SRA website at www.sra.org.uk/diversity
- Lord Ouseley was chair of the Commission for Racial Equality from 1993 to 2000.
- For further information, please contact the SRA press office on 01527 883252 or 01527 512988 or email press@sra.org.uk.