At Exchange Chambers we are committed to promoting equal opportunities for all, including members, pupils, employees and applicants to Chambers. We do not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability, age, religion or belief or indeed, on any other ground. That said, we are alive to the risk of institutional bias and are committed to learning how to identify and eradicate areas in which there may be a risk of that occurring. We welcome and encourage any suggestions which help us on our learning journey.
This principle extends to our recruitment practices, the treatment of members, pupils and staff in chambers and the service we provide to our clients.
Chambers has a detailed Equality and Diversity policy which is regularly reviewed by the Equality and Diversity committee.
To view our Diversity Data (last updated January 2021), please click here.
Enquiries regarding the Diversity Data or our approach to equality and diversity should be made to our Compliance Officer Neil Wright in the first instance.
You can view the new Equality and Human Rights Commission Report on Access to Justice here.
Chambers is aware of the challenges facing young people wishing to pursue a career in law. As a Chambers we are committed to supporting fair access to the Bar and aim to encourage aspiring barristers from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Our members frequently attend schools and partake in a variety of different schemes and initiatives that promote and encourage social mobility.
Chambers is positively looking to improve and increase our Black, Asian and ethnically diverse representation. We are a Partner Chamber in the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS), a leading programme designed by the Inner Temple to support aspiring barristers from under-represented backgrounds who have not yet started the BPTC.
In a bid to increase access to the Bar, Exchange Chambers last year announced plans to launch a pupillage academy, where we will take on 6 pupils in September 2020 with a view to taking on all pupils at the culmination of pupillage. We have previously recruited 3 pupils per year.