The Treasury Solicitor’s Department has become the 400th signatory to the Law Society’s flagship Diversity and Inclusion Charter.
It is the first government department to sign up to the Charter, which commits providers of legal services to diversity and inclusion in their business.
Lucy Scott Moncrieff, chair of the Law Society Equality & Diversity Committee, praised the Treasury Solicitor’s Department for making a clear public commitment to promote the values of diversity, equality and inclusion throughout their practices. She encouraged other government departments to follow in their footsteps:
We are very pleased to welcome the first government department to the Diversity and Inclusion Charter. Being a signatory is a sound indication that good practice is at the heart of their business plan. With the demographics of the UK changing rapidly, diversity is essential for solicitors to understand and meet the needs of the clients they serve.
Sir Paul Jenkins, Chief Executive and Permanent Secretary of the Treasury Solicitor’s Department said:
Diversity and inclusion is a priority for us. We cannot reasonably advise on legislation and laws that directly affect people if we are not representative of those people.
As the department that provides legal services to most central government departments, there must be no compromise when it comes to inclusion. We aim for fairness and transparency in all our procedures and as a signatory to the Law Society Charter, we are making this a public commitment.
Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said:
As the diversity champion for the Law Society, I am delighted to welcome the Treasury Solicitors Department to the Charter.
Since the Charter was launched five years ago, the number of signatories has grown enormously, indicating the value and commitment which law firms attach to the promotion of diversity and inclusion, within the profession itself and across the wider community.