SRA urges solicitors to take part in diversity census
16 March 2009
Solicitors and others regulated by the SRA are being asked to complete a secure online questionnaire to update and extend data on the diversity of the profession.
SRA Chair Peter Williamson said: "To help us to ensure that we are fair, we need everyone we regulate to provide us with information about their ethnicity, gender and other key information.
"This will allow us to monitor all our regulatory processes and procedures to identify trends and address any necessary areas for improvement."
The questionnaire was launched in December, with reminder emails being sent out recently. So far, more than 14,000 individuals have completed the questionnaire.
Mr Williamson added: "We'd like to thank the thousands who have already completed the questionnaire, and encourage those who haven't yet to take a few minutes to fill it in. Completing this online is straightforward and saves paper and costs over a printed questionnaire, but we are very happy to provide alternative formats on request."
The census is being supported by a number of representative groups. Oba Nsugbe, chair of the British Nigerian Law Forum (BNLF), said:
"It is important that the SRA has a true and accurate picture of the diverse make-up of the solicitors' profession in the 21st century. The diversity census is an important initiative towards obtaining information that will hopefully assist the SRA in its commitment to the promotion of equality and diversity for all."
For more information, and to complete the census, please go to www.sra.org.uk/diversitycensus.
Notes to editors
The census forms part of the SRA's equality and diversity strategy and action plan.