More progress needed as Sutton Trust research finds over half of magic circle partners are privately educated
Sutton Trust report on social mobility within the legal profession highlights the lack of educational diversity among lawyers
February 25, 2016 at 07:31 AM
3 minute read
More than half of partners at magic circle firms went to independent schools according to new data released by social mobility charity Sutton Trust, with a similar percentage of solicitors at top firms continuing their education at Oxford or Cambridge universities.
Findings contained within the Trust's 'Leading People 2016′ report, which is based on a survey of 1,200 individuals, show 51% of magic circle partners were educated privately, compared with just 7% of the standard population.
Looking at the judiciary this equality gap increases further, with 74% attending independent schools and going on to Oxbridge – more than 10 times the ratio in the general population.
Despite the disparity the report acknowledges progress made within the legal profession.
In the late 1980s, 76% of top judges attended private schools, with this dipping very marginally to 75% by the mid-2000s and 74% today.
The report acknowledges the apparent desire to improve access to the legal profession for those from less privileged backgrounds via initiatives such as the Pathways to Law programme as well as efforts to improve social mobility data within the profession.
However it goes on to state: "To date the publication of such data has served to reinforce the received knowledge that there are substantial inequalities of background within law firms, especially at the level of partner. The next step will be to use this information to continue to better target recruitment policies that change this."
David Morley, outgoing chairman of work experience-based social mobility effort Prime and senior partner at Allen & Overy, said: "This is undoubtedly a complex issue with numerous strands. However, it's clear the legal community has a part to play by building as an industry on the strong foundation that programmes like Pathways to Law and Prime have created and continuing to seek out the best talent, regardless of background."
Research released by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) last year also highlighted diversity failings within the judiciary system.
This research found male, Oxbridge-educated junior barristers from London-based chambers are still far more likely to become QCs, despite major reform to the appointments system in 2004, according to the study by the LSE.
In the first academic study of the reformed QC appointments system, Michael Blackwell, Assistant Professor of Law, concluded that the reforms appear to have failed in improving diversity.
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