SBL joins SRA equalities implementation group
The Society of Black Lawyers is a member of the SRA Equality and Diversity External Implementation Group (EIG).
The EIG was established to oversee the SRA’s implementation of Lord Herman Ouseley’s recommendations following his 2008 report which highlighted the disproportionate regulatory outcomes for ethnic minority solicitors from African, Asian and Caribbean backgrounds.
The SRA is the independent regulatory body of the Law Society of England and Wales, regulating solicitors and solicitor practices. It is a public authority for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 and is bound by the public sector equality duty which came into effect on 5 April 2011.
This equality duty requires the SRA, in the exercise of its public functions, to have due regard to the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation;
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; and
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
For further background information on the SRA, its regulatory functions and its impact of ethnic minority solicitors, please see related posts.
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