TO BE PUBLISHED February 2026
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine next steps for developing equality, diversity, and inclusion practices in the legal profession in England and Wales.
It will bring key stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities in the context of the Legal Services Board’s forthcoming consultation on its draft statutory statement of policy on encouraging a diverse legal profession and how regulated firms are expected to embed best practice.
Regulatory frameworks & oversight
The agenda will bring out latest thinking on approaches to addressing structural barriers and concerns surrounding gender balance in senior roles, as well as issues around regulatory consistency, monitoring and accountability, and where responsibilities for oversight lie. Delegates will consider the recent decision by the Bar Standards Board not to proceed with proposals to amend Core Duty 8 to create a proactive equality and diversity obligation.
Discussion will draw on guidance from the Solicitors Regulation Authority on Principle 6, with a focus on how regulated firms are expected to embed EDI into organisational culture, risk management, and leadership structures, and what further support and enforcement may be required to ensure compliance.
Talent pipeline & tackling underrepresentation
Approaches to maximising benefits from diversity will be considered, looking at opportunities for workforce resilience and growth, and assessing the future for firm-led and sector-wide access schemes within the context of the Government’s wider Professional and Business Services Sector Plan.
Sessions will also assess the SRA’s new business plan and the balance it seeks to strike between promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and responding to wider performance, trust, and oversight concerns.
Entry routes for authorised persons will be discussed, including priorities for widening participation and tackling underrepresentation, as well as the impact of recent changes to government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships, looking at implications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, mature applicants and those pursuing career changes.
Further sessions look ahead to the new Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy expected in 2026, with insights from the 2020-2025 strategy as it concludes. Delegates will assess the way forward for tackling barriers to judicial appointments and disparities in representation between solicitors and barristers, as well as the work of new and existing advocacy networks.
Best practice & coordination
The conference will examine best practice for law firms and legal businesses in embedding inclusion across recruitment, retention, and progression, such as widening the reach and impact of hiring schemes. Attendees will assess approaches to reasonable adjustments and neuro-inclusive hiring, the use of data to identify barriers and track progress, and key considerations for strengthening protections against harassment and discrimination in the legal workplace.
We also expect emerging tensions in the diversity landscape to be considered, including shifts in organisational practice and language, legal uncertainty around the Equality Act and statutory questionnaires, and concerns around legal exposure for employers.
Overview of areas for discussion
- regulatory developments: LSB policy on encouraging a diverse profession - impact of the BSB decision on Core Duty 8 - regulatory engagement and compliance
- oversight: issues for the current model of legal services regulation - LSB powers and relationships with frontline regulators - maintaining coordination and public confidence
- solicitor entry routes: addressing disparities in outcomes and progression - potential risks for older and career-change candidates - impact on small firm participation and regional access
- financial support: implications of removing government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships - new financial support for SQE candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds
- qualifying exams and fairness: impact of the SRA’s Access & Reinvestment Fund - disparities in outcomes for minority and disadvantaged candidates - assessing SQE delivery
- law firm schemes: effectiveness of firm-led diversity programmes - transparency, reach and evaluation - opportunities for closer alignment with national social mobility goals
- workforce development: role of diversity in supporting sector resilience and long-term talent needs - potential benefits of coordinated support from government and regulators
- legal career progression: disparity in judicial appointment rates for solicitors - transparency in selection processes
- emerging issues: Equality Act interpretation following recent case law - proposals to reinstate Section 138 questionnaires - implications for employers managing legal and reputational risk
- judicial appointments: priorities for the next phase of reform following the 2020-2025 strategy - priorities for the Judicial Diversity Forum and judicial mentoring networks - learning from recent outreach initiatives - Justice Committee inquiry into legal services and access
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
