Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Firms, in-house and public sector legal teams are invited to join the Law Society of Ireland in pledging their names to the Law Society Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter and to avail of useful diversity and inclusion resources.

Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Law Society

The Law Society of Ireland recognises and values difference in those we represent, educate, and employ. We understand that we are expected to reflect the communities in which we work. We are committed to promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion for the benefit of all solicitors, trainees, staff, clients and members of the public. 

Gender equality, diversity and inclusion impacts everything that we do and all our policies, services and processes. We support our members to do the same in their own firms and organisations. In doing so, we strive to create a culture of inclusion, mutual respect and equal opportunities. 

To further show our commitment to fostering a more inclusive legal sector, the Law Society has become an Ally of the disAbility Legal Network which was set up in 2021 to promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities within the legal sector. Learn more about the disAbility Legal Network.

The Law Society’s policies on gender equality, diversity and inclusion are compliant with the law in Ireland. For further information, read the Law Society's Diversity and Inclusion Statement.

Invitation to firms, in-house and public sector legal teams

Solicitors increasingly appreciate the importance of integrating gender equality, diversity and inclusion principles into their workplaces for the benefit of their firms, teams, organisations, clients, staff and themselves.

The Law Society of Ireland is inviting solicitor firms, in-house and public sector legal teams to pledge their names to the Law Society Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter:

You can also contact us at GEDICharter@lawsociety.ie. 

What you commit to

The signatories to this Charter will treat all individuals and groups of individuals fairly and equally and no less favourably, specific to their needs, in areas of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, race, class, disability or membership of the Traveller Community. As such, signatories will:

  • recognise the individual needs of those they employ and support them to develop to their full potential,

  • ensure equal access to opportunities for those they employ,

  • ensure their policies, procedures and processes promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion,

  • carry out their work without bias, in a respectful and non-discriminatory manner,

  • cuild awareness and understanding of the benefits of promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and

  • assign responsibility for meeting the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter commitments to a named senior partner or member of staff. Signatories are encouraged to publish details of the senior leader who is accountable for the Charter commitments on your website or intranet.

For more information, download the GEDI Charter.

Sign the Charter

If you would like to commit your firm, in-house or public sector legal team to the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter:

You can also contact us at GEDICharter@lawsociety.ie. 

By signing the Charter, you are publicly committing your firm, in-house or public sector legal team to taking the necessary steps to promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion in your workplace and in the solicitors’ profession. As a signatory of the Charter, we encourage you to promote your commitment to these principles on your website and during procurement processes by linking to this page.

Promote your commitment

Signatories of our GEDI Charter can display our exclusive Law Society insignia on their website, firm stationery, business cards and other marketing materials as a public way to promote their commitment to the Charter and its principles.

GEDI Charter Insignia

To start using our insignia today, please sign the GEDI Charter or email GEDICharter@Lawsociety.ie.

Who has signed up?

Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 

The Law Society’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy is now available to download and use by solicitors’ workplaces and members of the solicitors’ profession.

Developed by the Irish Centre for Diversity, solicitors can adopt this policy, or segments of it, to help improve gender equality, diversity and inclusion within their organisations and the wider profession. The policy outlines how gender equality, diversity and inclusion will underpin areas of the organisation’s work and service provision, including the communities which it operates.

How can I use this policy?

The Irish Centre for Diversity has set out how solicitors can review and adopt the policy for their individual workplaces.

Articles on diversity and inclusion 

The Law Society Gazette regularly publishes articles relating to gender equality, diversity and inclusion. The magazine and Gazette.ie website also profile relevant personal stories from members of the profession, including:

If you have a story for the Gazette, contact gazette@lawsociety.ie.

Sign up for GEDI Charter