Equal opportunities committee - membership vacancies

The equal opportunities committee advises the main board of the Law Society on equality and diversity issues.

The main board reports to the Law Society Council.

The committee will consist of 12 members, of whom four are to be council members and eight non-council members.

In addition, there are four designated seats for council members who represent relevant special interests: one each for the Group for Solicitors with Disabilities and the Association of Women Solicitors and two for ethnic minority interests.

The membership of the committee is expected to reflect the widest possible range of social perspectives on discrimination rather than being a body of experts in discrimination law.

Applications are sought from individuals with substantial general experience of equality and diversity within the legal profession as well as specific experience of working in one or more of the following aspects of diversity:

- Best practice in employment, for example, through working as an in-house lawyer in commerce and industry or government;

- Promotion of equality and diversity in legal education and training;

- Developing and implementing positive action schemes for increasing access to training contracts in authorised training institutions;

- Developing and implementing practical initiatives towards promoting family friendly policies in law firms;

- Working towards breaking down barriers to progression for disadvantaged groups such as ethnic minorities and solicitors with disabilities in private practice and/or the employed sector;

- Evaluating the impact of equal opportunities policies on one or more forms of discrimination, including race, ethnic origin, marital status, sexual orientation, transgender status, disability, religion, belief or age, and;

- Experience of developing and delivering quality professional services to a diverse clientele in a manner which is sensitive and responsive to their cultural or other special needs.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a good appreciation of discrimination law and have the ability to contribute through attendance at committee meetings.

The committee is expected to meet up to six times a year subject to the advice sought by the main board and/or its diversity sub-group.

Travel expenses for attendance at the committee and any ad hoc working parties will be met by the Society.

Appointments for non-designated seats will be made following a selection process which will include interviews of short-listed candidates.

In order to attract the widest pool of applicants, the opportunities are also being promoted through the Society's recognised groups and other groups.

Applications are welcome from all those with the enthusiasm, expertise and time necessary, irrespective of sex, race, colour, age, sexual orientation, religion or disability.

For an application pack, contact Rita Oscar, Groups and Sectors Team, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL or DX 56 London/Chancery Lane.

Tel: 020 7315 5552; fax: 020 7831 0170, e-mail: Rita.Oscar@lawsociety.org.uk

The closing date for all applications is 5 February 2003.

Interviews will take place on the week beginning 17 February 2003.