Reeves: Plan for action
Chambers must ensure barristers have “equitable access” to work as part of being members of the Attorney General’s civil and EU panel of counsel, the government has said.
The Attorney General and Treasury Solicitor have published a diversity and inclusion statement for the Bar, setting out how the Government Legal Department (GLD) will work with chambers and counsel after appointment.
It begins: “This Diversity and Inclusion Statement is more than a statement of intent; it is a shared roadmap. Our commitment is to break down barriers, champion underrepresented talent, and ensure that the Bar remains a place where merit thrives.”
The statement also applies, where relevant, to counsel on other panels and to KCs appointed on nomination by the Attorney General.
The GLD will collect self-declared diversity data from panel applicants, to understand the diversity profile of the panel and monitor whether work and fee payments are distributed fairly.
It will review progress against the statement’s commitments regularly, working with chambers and counsel on their implementation.
“Where necessary, we will ask chambers to evidence the measures they have in place to deliver these expectations and how they intend to address any underrepresentation,” it says.
The statement stresses “the importance of making fair and inclusive instruction decisions so that we make full use of the talent available across the panel”, including making “effective use of the regional panel”.
Chambers with panel members need to provide training and guidance for clerks on the fair and inclusive allocation of work, ensure “fair access to the range of work available within chambers, addressing any significant differences”, and monitor allocation of work across all protected characteristics and take action where needed.
The statement commits to offering training for counsel wishing to move into new specialisms or broaden the work they do for government.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC said: “This is more than an ambition, it’s a plan for action. We are committed to removing the barriers that stop talented people reaching their full potential at the Bar, and to making sure the counsel we instruct reflects the people we serve.”
Treasury Solicitor Douglas Wilson KC (Hon) added: “I’ve seen first-hand the value that different perspectives and experiences bring to legal work. The strongest teams are the ones that challenge assumptions, approach problems from different angles and aren’t afraid to think differently.”
Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said equitable briefing has been one of her priorities while in the role.
“The Bar Council has supported GLD’s aspiration to improve panel diversity, as well as ensuring fair access to high-quality work for those on their panels… However, the key is implementation and monitoring progress, and we look forward to seeing change.”
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