The proportion of practising solicitors from ethnic minorities has risen to match that of the national population, figures released this week have shown.

According to the Law Society's annual statistical report, the percentage of practising solicitors in England and Wales from ethnic minorities increased from 7% in 2002 to 7.9% last year. This is the same as the Office of National Statistics figure for the UK population as a whole.


In the year to 31 July 2003, solicitors from ethnic minorities accounted for more than one in six entrants to the profession - 17%.


This demographic parity may well be short-lived, as the number of ethnic minority solicitors is set only to keep growing. The report found that 22% of postgraduate law students and 18% of trainees were from ethnic minorities.


Overall, there were a record 92,752 practising solicitors last year, an increase of 4.2% on 2002. The number of solicitors on the roll rose 2.4% to 116,100.


Some 40% of solicitors are women. If recent trends in the profession continue, a majority of solicitors will be female within a decade.


However, women and ethnic minority solicitors were both less likely to be partners than their counterparts. Half of male solicitors are partners, compared to just 23% of women, while 24% of ethnic minority solicitors are partners, as against 41% of white Europeans.


Though almost 63% of trainees are women, the report found that male trainees 'were much more likely than female trainees to be placed' in the very largest law firms of 81 or more partners. The same trend, though smaller, could be seen in firms of 26-80 partners.


Overall, there were a record 5,650 training contracts available, a rise of almost 5%.


Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva said the Society is pleased that the composition of the profession has changed to more accurately reflect society.


She added: 'We are aware that there are few black and ethnic minority partners in law firms. More needs to be done to remove the so-called "glass ceiling" and promote flexible working. The Law Society is working with law firms to promote best practice in recruitment and selection.'


Yvonne Brown, chairwoman of the Black Solicitors Network, said statistics often mask more than they reveal. 'Are we moving through the ranks at the same speed as everyone else?' she asked. 'There is progress but when we are getting into the profession, where are we going?'



See Feature "Strength in numbers"