The importance of transforming the legal landscape and society

From Law to Leadership – Interview with Bethia Green

February 19, 2024

Diversity on the Bench: The Importance of Representation in the Judiciary

February 21, 2024

Published by Christianah Babajide at February 19, 2024

Introduction

The legal profession is often described as a pillar of justice, and in recent times has undergone significant transformation where the legal landscape has become more diverse and inclusive. This is evident in the gradual increase in representation of ethnic minorities in the legal profession. For example, the UK Government’s recent statistics shows that in the last decade, the ethnic minority proportion of barristers increased from 13% to 16%, of solicitors from 15% to 19%,of Chartered Legal Executives from 5% to 11%, and from 7%to 11% for all judges. It is clear that diversity and inclusion (D&I) goes far beyond the courtroom and case precedents;there has now been a recognition by the legal profession that D&I are not just moral requirements but vital elements to a flourishing legal system.

Identifying D&I issues in the legal profession

The legal sector has struggled with issues of D&I for decades. Historically, it has been criticised for its lack of representation across gender, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds. The lack of representation is evident through the following statistics published by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in 2023 which paint a revealing picture.

• Ethnic minorities constitute 12% Asian, 3% Black, and 3% Mixed/Multiple within law firms.

• Lawyers with disabilities make up 6%, while lesbian, gay, and bisexual lawyers represent 4.4%.

• Shockingly, lawyers from a lower socio-economic background have decreased from 21% in 2015 to 18% in 2022

• An inclusive and representative legal sector brings differing perspectives, ideas, and approaches which fosters a more innovative landscape.

A multicultural profession would be better equipped to understand the growing complexities of the globalised world enabling them to serve a more diverse clientele effectively, this does not only ensure fairness but ensures legal efficiency.

Broader societal implications

The consequences of a lack of diversity in the legal sector extends well beyond the courtroom. A legal system that does not reflect society risks alienating large portions of the population and subsequently causing the public to lose trust in the legal system. The role of diverse legal professionals cannot be understated as their presence ensures that the legal system considers and respects the rights and perspectives of all citizens.

Law firms and barristers’ chambers that embrace diversity put themselves as the forefront for success in a rapidly changing world. A diverse profession increases both creativity and problem-solving. Differing backgrounds and experiences allow for a better understanding of complex legal issues. Diversity allows organisations to accommodate for their wide range of clientele.

Overall

The importance of transforming the legal landscape into a more diverse and inclusive legal profession cannot be understated as through transforming the legal landscape into a more inclusive and diverse place society will reap the rewards as the legal field will be able to adapt and serve more effectively the necessary needs of society. Furthermore, through the legal landscape shifting towards a more representative profession it will serve as a catalyst for other professions to also embrace diversity and inclusivity.