The diversity agenda must be pushed forward but positive discrimination in the legal profession is not the answer, according to the attorney general, Lady Scotland.

In an interview with the Gazette, Scotland said there is ‘clearly lots to do’. The profession must ‘consolidate the work we have started’ in order to ‘push this mission forward.’

Scotland also said the government will not provide extra funds to meet increased demand for pro bono advice. She hopes new funds from pro bono costs orders will create an appropriate source of income for the Access to Justice Foundation, which funds pro bono services across the country. ‘We have already invested a huge amount of money [in pro bono],’ she said. ‘It’s not meant to be a substitute for legal aid.’

Scotland was speaking ahead of the Minority Lawyers’ Conference 2009, organised jointly by the Law Society and Bar Council, to be held at the Law Society on 25 April. Both Scotland and the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, will make keynote speeches at the event.