Lord Herman Ouseley undertook the first independent review into disproportionality at the SRA in 2008. He since established and chaired the External Implementation Group (EIG) which served as an advisory group for the SRA for over five years. The EIG were a valuable source of advice, guidance and challenge for the SRA and we thank both Lord Ouseley and all the individual members of the group for their contribution over the years. As the group has now come to an end, we hear from Lord Ouseley about the EIGs role and the SRAs progress on equality and diversity. Organisations described as institutionally biased tend, not surprisingly, to react with a sense of rage, indignation and defensiveness to such allegations. The SRA was not, therefore, unique in being defensive when such allegations were made about its treatment of BME solicitors. It is a tribute to the determination and perseverance of the EIG, that they have been able to work positively with the SRA to push them along the pathway towards greater accountability, scrutiny, openness and objectivity in their regulatory activities so that equality and fair outcomes can be achieved. The SRA also must be commended for showing leadership and courage in facing up to the challenge of having to change polices, processes and practices, especially unaccountable discretionary practices which contributed to unintentional and indirect discriminatory outcomes. While there is much still to be done and to be achieved, particularly in building and maintaining trust and confidence among BME sole practitioners and small firms, the SRA is demonstrating its willingness to be fearless in responding to any institutional resistance to change as it move to the next phase in being and exemplary body with regard to equality, inclusion and diversity. Read the SRAs response to the ICCR report. The SRA is aware that simply to change policies and practices and assume Job Done! is a recipe for failure. It is crucial to keep the momentum of change, through implementation of equality and diversity activities across the entirety of the organisation on a continuous basis. This must be linked integrally to performance review and evaluation systems to reveal benefits for the organisation, its staff, the profession and the public. Lord Herman Ouseley
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:39:15 +0000
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