The women in law pledge

When MSB’s Quality and Diversity Committee was set up in 2019, one of the first achievements of the Committee was to sign up to The Law Societys “Women in Law Pledge”. 

The Law Society created the Women In Law Pledge to commit to creating a more equal profession for all.   It was launched in partnership with the Bar Counsel of England and Wales and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) in June 2019, its aim,  to bring gender equality to the forefront of the conversation in respect of women in the legal profession. 

The view of the Law Society is that everybody within the legal profession has a role to enact positive change for equality and the Law Society encourage all legal service providers and inhouse teams and individuals to sign up to the Women in Law Pledge.   By signing up to the pledge MSB have shown that we are able to make a positive contribution to achieving gender equality. 

By signing up to the pledge MSB is committed to supporting the progression of women into senior roles in the profession by focusing on  

• Retention and promotion opportunities 
• Setting clear plans and target around gender equality and diversity for our organisation.
  

There are presently only 42 signatories to the Women in Law Pledge. MSB are proud signatories and are able to evidence our tangible commitment to gender equality and inclusion. 

One of the organisation pledges to promote gender equality, was to commit at senior level, to tackle sex discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace.   We have recently introduced a sexual harassment policy to commit to that pledge. This is alongside our Domestic abuse Policy and menopause Policy, all of which we hope will support women throughout our organisation to achieve their potential.  

We would encourage all firms locally and nationally to commit to the Women in Law Pledge.   To join the pledge, you do not have to have policies or practices currently in place but should include those that you wish to implement.   Even if you feel that there are few changes that your firm can make realistically as you are already a wholly inclusive firm, making the commitment and signing up to the women in law pledge is still vital for progress to happen across the whole sector.   Joining and informing others about the pledge shows not only MSB’s commitment but means that MSB act as a role model and inspiration for the rest of the profession which is just as vital in ensuring real meaningful changes continue to take place for gender equality.     

More information about the Pledge can be found here: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/en/campaigns/women-in-leadership-in-law