Three of the world's largest financial institutions now demand diversity information from their legal advisers, it has emerged, as a growing number of clients attempt to influence the level of diversity in the profession.

Financial giants Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have recently asked for firms pitching for business to give diversity statistics relating to their employees' backgrounds in recent adviser reviews. The trio join banks including JP Morgan and Barclays, which also asked for diversity information, and HSBC, which is also looking to do the same in the future.

In addition, a host of major corporate clients are asking advisers for a breakdown of diversity information.

JP Morgan assistant general counsel Tim Hailes said that the issue is becoming increasingly important when selecting panel firms, commenting: "It is a relevant factor, if not a determining one."

It is understood that some clients have asked firms to provide detail on areas such as cultural diversity and sexual orientation.

The news comes as a survey published this week by the Black Solicitors Network claims that City firms are among the worst in the UK for diversity.

This is despite the fact that a Recruiters Guide to Courses and Campuses report found that this year almost one in every four law students came from an ethnic minority, compared with an average 15% across all other subjects.

Carolyn Lee, diversity and inclusion manager at Herbert Smith, said that with clients taking a greater interest in diversity, firms now have to ensure they have relevant information to hand.

"Firms have all been doing it for a long time, but the questions are getting harder, and some clients will now do spot-checks once firms have been appointed," she said. "It is making sure people are going beyond ticking the box and is driven by making sure people are not saying one thing and doing another."

Ashurst finance partner Mark Vickers added: "It is an issue that is becoming more prevalent and that can only be a good thing. Banks are not the diversity police – it is a case of encouraging law firms to take the issue seriously."

Additional reporting by Georgina Stanley.

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