Signing the charter is a public commitment from a firm to “taking the necessary steps to promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion in your workplace and in the solicitors’ profession”, the Society said.

In particular, signatories will:

• Recognise the individual needs of those they employ and support them to develop to their full potential.
• Ensure equal access to opportunities for those they employ.
• Ensure their policies, procedures and processes promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Carry out their work without bias, in a respectful and non-discriminatory manner.
• Build awareness and understanding of the benefits of promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Assign responsibility for meeting the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter commitments to a named senior partner or member of staff. Signatories are encouraged to publish details of the senior leader who is accountable for the Charter commitments on your website or intranet.

More information about the Charter and how firms can sign up is available from the Law Society website.