An in-depth investigation into solicitors’ salaries will reveal ‘significant inequalities’ between white members of the profession and those from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups.

The warning came from Law Society president Paul Marsh (pictured) at the Minority Lawyers’ Conference at Chancery Lane on Saturday.

The research is the most detailed piece of work carried out by the Society into diversity and will be published shortly.

At the event, the Judicial Appointments Commission came in for criticism from Peter ­Herbert, Society of Black Lawyers chair, who said the organisation was ‘not fit for ­purpose’.

Cordella Bart-Stewart, Black Solicitors Network chair, said the JAC needs to ‘look at more positive action’ in getting more BME lawyers appointed to the judiciary.

Desmond Browne QC, Bar Council chairman, told the audience that BME and women lawyers would leave the profession if the government continued ‘inflicting cut after cut’ on legal aid.