Equality & Diversity

Avoiding discrimination and achieving diversity.

Backhouse Jones participates in the annual SRA Equality and Diversity survey. A summary of last year’s results can be obtained upon request. Please contact:compliance@backhouses.co.uk for further information. A summary of our Equality and Diversity policy is set out below.

 

Introduction and scope.

Everybody at Backhouse Jones is aware of the firm’s policy in relation to discrimination and equality and diversity, which covers all our professional dealings including clients, other solicitors, barristers and third parties.

 

Forms of discrimination

Our policy covers discrimination on the grounds of:

• Race or racial group (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins);
• Sex (including marital status, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity and paternity);
• Sexual orientation (including civil partnership status);
• Religion or belief;
• Age;

The types of action that are against our policy are:

• Direct discrimination, where a person is, without lawful cause, less favourably treated on any of the above grounds.
• Indirect discrimination, where a requirement or condition that cannot be justified is applied equally to all groups but has a disproportionately adverse effect on members of one particular group by reason of any of the above grounds.
• Victimisation, where someone is treated less favourably than others because he or she has taken action against the firm for unlawful discrimination on one or more of the above.
• Harassment, which occurs when unwanted conduct on one of the above grounds has the effect of violating another person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person.

Disability provisions

In addition to our obligations not to discriminate against, harass or victimise those with a disability we will also make reasonable adjustments to prevent employees, directors and clients who are disabled from being at a disadvantage in comparison with those who are not disabled.

 

Policy statement

We are committed to avoiding discrimination in our dealings with clients, directors, employees and third parties and are committed to promoting diversity in our professional activities.

We will treat everybody equally and with the same attention, courtesy and respect. We will ensure that nobody with whom we work will suffer any substantial disadvantage through any disability that they might have. We will make reasonable adjustments for those with a disability in relation to job opportunities, promotion and training within the firm and the provision of services to clients.

 

Enforcement

If you believe a breach of our policy may be occurring, or if you have a complaint that you have been the victim of a breach, you should contact our Compliance Director at compliance@backhouses.co.uk