Introduction
We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. As well as being in line with our legal and regulatory responsibilities, a diverse and representative legal workforce is better for the profession and for the public it serves. It means improved choice and a better experience for people using the legal sector. Diversity can also bring commercial and other benefits to law firms.
This report covers solicitors and other employees working in SRA-regulated law firms in England and Wales. It is based on data collected from more than 99% of firms in summer 2025.
Using data to inform and drive change
Having good quality data about diversity in the profession helps us and our stakeholders understand and address the challenges we face in achieving a diverse and inclusive legal workforce. We use this data to inform our regulatory approach and the work we do to encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. It allows us to monitor progress and informs research and publications produced by us and others in the sector.
We collect data every two years across nine characteristics:
- sex
- ethnicity
- disability
- age
- socio-economic background
- caring responsibilities
- religion
- sexual orientation
- gender identity.