SRA commissions research into the representation of BME solicitors in regulatory decisions
15 October 2009
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced the appointment of Pearn Kandola, a leading firm of business psychologists, to carry out research that will provide the SRA with a better understanding of the over-representation of black and ethnic minority (BME) solicitors in its regulatory decisions.
The study will look at a range of issues, including the SRA's processes, the career progression of BME solicitors, the fields in which BME solicitors work, and how other professions' regulators deal with similar issues of disproportionality.
The study will also ask BME solicitors about their experiences of being regulated by the SRA.
The research, which will be published, is planned as the first of a series of research projects to better understand and address the causes of disproportionality. Recommendations for change will be made.
SRA Chief Executive Antony Townsend said: "At the beginning of this year, the SRA finalised an ambitious strategy to address issues of equality and diversity, since when we have been working with our stakeholders to deliver that strategy. This research study is one element of that strategy. We know that disproportionality exists, but we don't fully understand why it is occurring. This is something we take very seriously, as part of our objective to be a fair, open and proportionate regulator.
"It is vital that we understand and explore the factors that contribute to this disproportionality, looking both at the practices and processes of the SRA and external factors, such as training and education, nature of work and type of practice."
Notes to editors
An independent report by Lord Ouseley, and previous internal reports, evaluated the data and identified that BME solicitors are more likely to be subject to regulatory action (see www.sra.org.uk/ouseley).
The SRA has published its equality and diversity strategy and action plan (see www.sra.org.uk/equality).
The SRA has published Lord Ouseley's interim report on the SRA's strategy.
The SRA has published the latest figures on equality and diversity monitoring of regulatory activity.
Pearn Kandola has expertise around issues of disproportionality and has carried out research in this area for other organisations.