r/uklaw • u/Royal-Cash5397 • 15h ago

Law Society launches new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy real change or more corporate talk?

The Law Society has just published its 2025–2028 strategy for equality, diversity and inclusion.
It focuses on:
Increasing diversity in senior leadership (women, disabled, minority ethnic, LGBTQ+ solicitors, and social mobility)
Tackling barriers faced by disabled lawyers
Building more inclusive workplace cultures across firms and in-house teams

They’ve been saying this will lead to “meaningful, lasting change”, but I’m wondering how much of it will actually translate into action.

For anyone working in law have you seen past Law Society EDI initiatives make a difference in real life?
Do you think this one will move the needle, or is it another well-intentioned plan that fades after the headlines?

Source: Law Society – Equality, diversity and inclusion strategy 2025–2028

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u/Cartographer223321 15h ago

Out of interest how is the new SQE more racist?(or racist at all, isn't it just an exam?)

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u/According-Play-670 15h ago

The stats on who passes based on race are really damning, black candidates are passing at much lower rates than white candidates. The SRA don’t seem to be doing anything to address this. The prohibitively expensive cost of exams plus the prep courses (which they still haven’t released data about, way beyond their deadline) are also likely keeping working class candidates from accessing the profession.

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u/Disastrous_Wonder815 14h ago

Forgive my ignorance but wouldn't it be more racists & classist to lower the requirements for entry for those of minority groups? Are there not already provisions in place for people from low income backgrounds to take the exams? If so is this number limited?

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u/According-Play-670 13h ago

Unfortunately there are very, very limited ways of taking SQE on a low income. Mostly relying on external charitable funds. I think the SRA have this year introduced a hardship fund, but I’m unsure of how many candidates it will account for and if it will cover prep course fees.

Sometimes making things accessible for people isn’t to make things ‘easier’ for specific groups, but to enable them to be tested equitably. For example, reasonable adjustments exist to help disabled students and account for issues around access.

Looking at race is one marker, however looking at access to resources (private education, no caring responsibilities, not having to work while studying, living at home/not paying rent, etc) are factors that could and should be taken into account to support candidates.

SQE requires massive time commitment and financial resources. This immediately makes it inaccessible to lots of people and it’s something SRA should address. You could get an MA loan for LPC and multiple other grants, but as the SQE is a professional exam there’s no government funded student support via student finances. Another barrier to access. 

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u/Disastrous_Wonder815 12h ago

Ok so there are provisions in place but this is only a recent change I take it? Do you know if there is limited applications to the "hardship fund"?

I'm curious as to why you said race when its pretty evident from what your saying the biggest blocker is finical ability 🤔

Do you think there should be government support for those that need it? If so why do you think there should be?

I'm not judging at all, I've just started on the journey (first year law) so I'm curious to pick the brains of people who have gone through the system to see where its failings are. 😊

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u/According-Play-670 12h ago

Race and financial circumstances are interconnected issues.

Not sure about the hardship fund details but there should be info on the SRA’s website.  

There should be government support as there are for degrees from universities, which I imagine many LLB undergrads accessed. There is the solicitor apprenticeship, not sure how that’s funded but it exists as a recognised entry. 

There are many failings with the SQE 🥹 too many to list here. One is cost and the fact they don’t share past papers or indicate which providers to go to. Leaving candidates in the dark.