With the implementation of the of European employment regulations covering sexual orientation and religion and belief, law firms have a significant opportunity to lead from the front in the field of social reform.

Of all the professions, it is the lawyers that should be seen as setting an example in striving for a fair and just society.

For solicitors to be well placed to advise their clients they must themselves be fully conversant and compliant with the new legislation.

The Gazette's snapshot survey shows that some law firms are more aware of the issues in relation to religious beliefs and sexual orientation than others.

That is to be expected.

And as employment specialist solicitors have commented, it would not be helpful if law firms felt panicked into taking ill-judged measures in the light of the regulations.

But while a gradual approach to implementing the regulations is sensible, solicitors must grasp the nettle and practise what they preach - given that the Gazette has already had several press releases from firms aimed at clients warning them to prepare for these changes.

And law firms must also be alive to structural roadblocks that could cause them longer-term problems.

Commentators point to the nature of partnership - having multiple manager-owners of a business - as a potential source of difficulty in adhering to the rules.

Ultimately, the new regulations should be viewed as both a moral good and a business bonus.

A more diverse workplace will impress a law firm's employees, and go down well with an increasingly multi-cultural client base.