A new report has revealed the make up of Resolution members for the first time.
Following an all-member survey late last year, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee has analysed the data and begun to shape recommendations about how improvements can be made.
Over 3,000 of Resolution’s 6,500 members responded to the survey. Such a significant number of respondents means there is a statistically strong set of data to rely on.
As 75% of members are solicitors, the survey data has been compared with the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) and, where appropriate, the Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey to ensure the best credible comparison.
Key highlights from the survey:
- Resolution is 73% female and 27% male. This compares to the general solicitor population which is 48% female and 52% male.
- Just under half of members have caring responsibilities for children, the elderly or someone with a disability.
- 5% of members identify as having some form of disability compared with 12% of workers in the UK generally and 3% of solicitors.
- The ethnic background of Resolution’s membership broadly reflects the ethnic background of the whole UK workforce. It does not, however, reflect the population of lawyers. Resolution members are disproportionately white.
- Over 30% of members identified as having no religious affiliation, 53% of members state they are Christian. Compared with the population of all lawyers, those of Muslim faith are most underrepresented in the Resolution membership. To a lesser extent so too are the numbers of those who told us they are Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish.
- Resolution members are a bit older than the SRA held data too – with just 20% of us aged between 25 – 34 compared to 29% of the lawyer population generally.
- The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) membership is also similar to the general population; but more members are gay or bisexual than across the wider lawyer population.
The EDI committee met in December to consider the following:
- What steps need to be taken to encourage younger practitioners to join Resolution?
- What can Resolution do to support members with disabilities?
- How to ensure Resolution membership is attractive and inclusive to members from all ethnic backgrounds and increase their representation on our committees and working groups across the country?
- Can Resolution do more to support members who are carers and improve access to the services we provide?
- How can Resolution become more involved in sector-wide initiatives to improve the diversity of the organisation to benefit current and future members and the clients they serve.
Jo O’Sullivan, interim chair of the EDI Committee, said: “Resolution is working with The Diversity Trust to roll out training to the Resolution staff team, the National Committee, Chairs of all Resolution’s Committees, and the EDI Committee.
“During 2020 the EDI Committee will make recommendations to National Committee based on the survey. With the staff team and external support, we will draw conclusions to help shape a strategy with activities to create as inclusive an organisation and membership as we possibly can.
“To help practitioners working with minority groups, I’m delighted to announce that Resolution is soon to publish Guidance Notes covering disability, modern families, religion and culture.
“The EDI committee will update you all on our work as it progresses. Your thoughts and views have and will continue to shape our work so please do get in touch if you’d like to know more or have any ideas or suggestions.”
