Green light for equality measures

THE LORD Chancellor and senior judges have approved a package of anti-discrimination measures passed by the Law Society in October 1993.

The measures, which include a new practice rule, a revised code of practice, and a model anti-discrimination policy, have been awaiting approval by Lord Mackay, four senior judges and the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education. They become operational on 18 July.

The new rules outlaw discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, disability and sexual orientation, and require firms to have anti-discrimination policies.

Richard Dunford, chair of the Group for Solicitors with Disabilities (GSD), has welcomed the implementation of the package, saying the group will ask the Law Society to establish a monitoring system.

"I hope these measures will make solicitors think about making their workplaces more accessible to people with disabilities, both staff and clients, and I hope it will encourage more firms to consider taking on staff who are disabled," says Dunford.

"We are still hearing far too many stories about trainees and solicitors who have disabilities and who are finding it very difficult to get jobs."