Equality & diversity

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis

This subtopic provides guidance for law firms on equality and diversity. It contains information about:

  1. •

    regulatory requirements for E&D and diversity monitoring

  2. •

    diversity monitoring and data protection

  3. •

    protected characteristics

  4. •

    types of discrimination

  5. •

    drafting and implementing an E&D policy

  6. •

    equal pay and terms

  7. •

    gender pay gap reporting

Regulatory requirements

The SRA Principles require regulated individuals and firms to act in a way that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) (Principle 6). EDI is also relevant in relation to the requirements to act with integrity (Principle 5) and in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession (Principle 2). SRA guidance on complying with Principle 6 sets out the SRA’s expectations in relation to compliance with the Standards and Regulations and your legal requirements in relation to EDI.

The Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010) sets out a list of protected characteristics in respect of which discrimination, harassment and victimisation are prohibited. These characteristics are:

  1. •

    age

  2. •

    disability

  3. •

    gender reassignment

  4. •

    marriage or civil partnership

  5. •

    pregnancy...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Practice Compliance News

Ten major AI developers’ UK privacy changes detailed in ICO report

MLex: Privacy information and routes to exercise data rights have been updated by Anthropic, Apple, Meta and OpenAI following UK regulatory scrutiny,...

SFO updates corporate cooperation guidance and publishes new self-reporting guidance

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has updated its corporate cooperation guidance on self-reporting suspected fraud, bribery and corruption and published...

OFSI issues general licence for designated persons’ ground rent and service charge payments

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has issued General Licence INT/2026/10050568 under 26 UK autonomous sanctions regulations. The...

Law Society launches Solicitor Wellbeing Alliance with sector bodies

The Law Society of England and Wales has joined LawCare, the Solicitors' Charity and the Mindful Business Charter to launch the Solicitor Wellbeing...

View Practice Compliance by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an
Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an