Solicitors Anti-discrimination Rule 2004

The Law Society has announced that a new Solicitors Anti-Discrimination Rule will come into force on 1 September 2004.

The main purpose of the amendments is to ensure that the rule continues to reflect legislation and to clarify issues regarding enforcement and application.

However, the changes also form part of a more wide-ranging initiative by the Law Society to raise awareness of the issues surrounding discrimination and the business benefits that can stem from adopting an effective equality and diversity policy.

The principal changes are:

The duty not to discriminate has been extended so that the rule itself includes religion or belief.

A finding of discrimination by a tribunal or court shall be treated by the Law Society as prima facie evidence that the Anti-Discrimination Rule 2004 has been breached.

Comprehensive guidance to the rule has been published.

A new model policy has been produced; the need for firms to implement such a policy continues to be mandatory.

The applicable legislation has been clarified.

The previous anti-discrimination code has been incorporated into the rule and its accompanying guidance.

The Law Society is producing more comprehensive guidance for firms, which it is hoped will be published before the end of the summer.

The guidance and model policy with this rule can be found on the Society's Web site.

Visit: www.lawsociety.

org.uk in the What's New section or in the Professional section of View All Specialisms.