It is time to start preparing for the submission to the SRA in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

The last time the SRA requested Firms to complete the equality and diversity questionnaire was in 2023.  As it is performed on a two-year cycle, the SRA has now confirmed that all firms will be required to make their submissions in the summer of this year.

To assist with preparation, the SRA have released the questionnaire and additional guidance notes:

https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/resources/equality-diversity/your-data

Alternatively, see below for a summary of what is most essential.

How Can Regulation and Compliance Office Help You?

Regulation and Compliance Office has worked with multiple Firms in the past to assist with the preparation and submission of their response.  This year, to assist and support Firms, we are able to perform the following:

1. We have designed an interactive online solution that your firm can access to provide your staff an easy way to complete the questionnaire. The system will allow the firm to upload its employees, engage with them to complete the questionnaire and chase them if necessary. When completed, it will pool the data, ready for submission to the SRA.
2. We will assist you with engagement with staff; generally, by encouraging them to complete the questionnaire and ensuring all data is protected.
3. We will work with you to analyse the output, identify any issues that may arise, and work further with you on solutions.
4. We will work with you to complete the SRA submission and deal with any questions that arise.
5. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training packages (see below).

If your firm does not need or want to use the system, we can still provide support on items 2-5 as required.

For pricing in relation to the above, please contact us and we will discuss this with you.

If you are a member of the RACO network or use us to provide compliance support, you are entitled to discounts on all of our services.

For more information on how we can assist, you can speak to your compliance manager if you are a serviced Firm. If not, please call us on 0203 985 8550, complete the online enquiry form here, or email us at info@regulationandcomplianceoffice.co.uk

What are your Requirements?

The requirements set out by the SRA are as summarised below:

1. All Firms must complete the questionnaire.
   
2. All staff must be included:
   1. full-time and part-time employees
   2. employees on maternity leave or on long-term sick leave (but only if they are in contact with the firm during their absence and are willing to respond)
   3. temporary employees, those on a secondment contract, consultants or other contracted staff working with you for three months or longer.
      
3. Only the following staff are excluded:
   1. people engaged in work which has been outsourced by the firm
   2. barristers or other experts engaged by the firm on individual matters
   3. people who are normally based outside England and Wales.

4. The portal will be available in the summer.
   
5. The questionnaire is already available and can be viewed here: https://www.sra.org.uk/globalassets/documents/sra/equality-diversity/fdd25-questionnaire.docx
   
6. Staff should be encouraged to complete the questionnaire themselves, but it is not compulsory.
   
7. When ready, to start collecting the data, ensure staff understand that their information will be shared with the SRA (remember, they can anonymise their responses if necessary).
   
8. The SRA have provided a table, which sets out the category of a person in terms of their role. This can be viewed under the “collecting data” section of the guidance and will need to be sent to staff who wish to remain anonymous.
   
9. The diversity data (redacted to protect individual’s data) must be published.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training

It is important to ensure that all staff are trained on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We have a number of options Firms can engage with to secure appropriate and bespoke training:

1. Prerecorded video and handout – £300 + VAT for members. £400 for non-members
2. Live online session, including handout and post course Q&A – £600 + VAT for members. £750 for non-members
3. On site training delivered in person, including presentation, handout and Q&A – Starting from £750 + VAT for members. £850 for non-members.

Training is approx. 2-3 hours in total with no limit to the number of attendees. Options 2 and 3 can be recorded live.

To book your training, you can contact us via this address:

info@regulationandcomplianceoffice.co.uk.

General Compliance Support

 All firms must demonstrate and uphold high standards in their AML systems and processes, as well as in their management and supervision. This also involves outlining how the firm operates, including the conduct of staff through set policies, controls and procedures.

At Regulation & Compliance Office, we can offer a number of outsourced support solutions, including:

• Regulation & Compliance Service – Our Risk Management Assessment Service has been specifically designed to review and update a firm’s approach to risk and compliance management.
• MLR 2017 Regulation 21 Independent Audit – A review of the firm’s approach to regulation and compliance, including AML procedures, with the audit meeting the requirements of Regulation 21 of AML 2017. The output provides the firm with a written gap analysis and solutions to remedy any issues and ensure compliance.
• AML Training Courses – Our Typical AML Training Includes:
  • AML Training for ALL staff to meet the firm’s obligation to provide annual training.
  • One-to-one training for the MLRO and MLCO on their obligations and requirements.

Contact Our Team

To ask any questions about the Regulation and Compliance Office and how we can support your Law Firm, please call us on 0203 985 8550, complete the online enquiry form below, or email us at info@regulationandcomplianceoffice.co.uk