Law firm partners who fail to take ‘robust measures’ to meet diversity targets should be financially penalised, according to a leading pro-diversity group.

A report from the InterLaw Diversity Forum for LGBT Networks argues that the profession remains ‘stuck culturally in the mid-20th century’.

‘Soft’ targets are inadequate, and financial and other incentives are urgently needed to ‘deliver fair career progression’ for women, minority ethnic, disabled, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lawyers.

Successfully meeting targets should be ‘clearly rewarded’ by promotion and other forms of advancement, the report proposes, while the failure of partners and other managers to reach ‘expected standards of behaviour’ should be ‘addressed robustly’ through ‘bonus systems’ and compulsory training, it recommends.