Equality webcast marks step forward for Society

Training first timed to go with new equality and diversity committee

News, 23 January 2008

The first webcast training aid for Scottish solicitors from the Law Society of Scotland has been released.

The free webcast allows a video presentation, slides, and supporting downloads to be distributed to the Society’s 11,000 members. Covering key issues that solicitors or human resources personnel in legal firms need to know to comply with legislation on equality legislation, it counts towards solicitors' annual continuing professional development requirements.

The webcast is also timed to coincide with the establishment of a new equality and diversity law reform committee under Council member Farah Adams, which is being set up to scrutinise proposals on equality legislation from the Scottish Parliament, Westminster and the European Parliament.

Research carried out by the Society last year produced more than 3,000 responses from solicitors, giving information on all strands of equality including age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and transgender status.

One of the most serious issues to arise was that up to 22% felt they had been discriminated against at some point during their career, but only 9% of those suffering discrimination reported it.

While this situation is similar to other professions, the Society took on board comments from respondents who suggested it promote best practice and provide training. The webcast is one of the initiatives by the Society to do this, and further guidance and support is being developed this year.

Neil Stevenson, head of strategic change at the Society, said: “By establishing the committee it ensures we take a lead in future debates on these issues, while the webcast is designed so that busy solicitors can quickly get up to speed with the legislation, understand the issues involved and are in a position to advise their clients, as well as ensure that their firms are fully compliant with the legislation.

“Research has told us that, more and more, our members are looking for more flexible ways of gaining continuing professional development, and this webcast is ideal as it can be viewed from the comfort of your office or home.”

The webcast can be accessed online at: www.lawscot.org.uk/diversity/news.aspx .