Within the Diversity and Equality Action Plan, the Society made a commitment to the following action:

We will become signatories to the Diversity Mark charter and apply for Accreditation.

What is Diversity Mark?

The Diversity Mark accreditation is awarded to companies following an independent assessment process which ensures they have reached a high standard of commitment to advancing Diversity and Inclusion.

The Diversity Mark publicly declares commitment to building more diverse and inclusive workplaces to benefit all employees.

For further details on Diversity Mark please see: https://diversity-mark-ni.co.uk/

Further information on the progress of the Society’s accreditation process will be published soon.

The Law Society of Northern Ireland is pleased to announce that it has obtained the Bronze Diversity Charter Mark

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has successfully obtained the Bronze Diversity Charter Mark in recognition of its commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Brian Archer, President of the Law Society, commenting on the accreditation said:

I welcome this award, recognising as it does, the Law Society’s work on diversity, equality, and inclusion. During my term as President, I have made it my focus to ensure the profession is open and accessible to all. Securing the Diversity Mark accreditation demonstrates the Society’s ongoing commitment to tackling issues facing the profession.

The Bronze Diversity Mark is awarded to organisations who show commitment to addressing gender diversity, following an independent panel assessment. The ‘mark of progress’ publicly declares that an organisation has reached the required standard of commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion to benefit all.

Nuala Murphy, Director of Diversity Mark, said:

Huge congratulations to all the team at Law Society of Northern Ireland on being awarded the Bronze Diversity Mark Accreditation. This is a robust achievement and Diversity Mark are thrilled that LSNI are continuing to commit to progress. 

 

Our Independent Assessment Panel noted the intention to use their undoubted position, profile and influence to promote the diversity and inclusion agenda within the wider solicitor profession.

The Society remains committed to tackling the issues highlighted in the Diversity and Equality Study, which was published in 2022. The Society continues to make good progress on delivering the actions contained within it’s corresponding Action Plan, which focus on two key priorities:

  • Improving the experience of women in the solicitor profession
  • Improving access to the profession for under-represented groups

To learn more about the work of Diversity Mark and their accreditation process, please click here.