The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has lined up a series of meetings with groups representing black and ethnic minority (BME) solicitors after a Labour MP raised concerns it investigates a disproportionate number of minority firms.


The SRA's chief executive, Antony Townsend, was due to meet the Society of Asian Lawyers this week in the first of a round of discussions aimed at resolving the issues.



Keith Vaz, Labour MP for Leicester East and chairman of the home affairs select committee, met Mr Townsend last week after expressing concern that more BME firms have been involved in regulatory procedures (see [2007] Gazette, 18 October, 3).



'It was agreed that the time for investigations is over and decisions on the actions to take must now be made,' said Mr Vaz. 'This problem clearly exists and the key here is finding a solution and not placing blame.'



Mr Townsend said: 'It is clear some BME solicitors do not believe they are being treated fairly. We are firmly opposed to all discrimination... working together will provide the best solutions to what we should not be ashamed to acknowledge are difficult and complex issues.'



Anita Rice