Equality and Diversity Policy

Fearon & Co. complies with the requirements set out in legislation in relation to discrimination.  This applies to the firm’s dealings with members of the firm and other solicitors, barristers, clients and third parties.

Commitment

• Fearon & Co. is committed to promoting equality and diversity in its own policies, practices and procedures as well as in those areas in which it has influence. All members of the firm (which in this policy shall include the firm’s employees, partners and any self-employed person engaged by the firm) will be informed of this policy and will be provided with equality and diversity training appropriate to their needs and responsibilities. All those who act on the firm’s behalf will be informed of this equality and diversity policy and will be expected to pay due regard to it when conducting business on the firm’s behalf. In all its dealings, including those with suppliers, contractors and recruitment agencies, the firm will seek to promote the principles of equality and diversity. The firm will make every effort to reflect its commitment to equality and diversity in its marketing and communication activities.

 

• The firm will treat everyone equally and with the same attention, courtesy and respect and will not discriminate without lawful cause against any person, nor victimise or harass them on the grounds of their:

 

• • • • race or racial group (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins);
      • gender (including marital status, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity and paternity);
      • sexual orientation (including civil partnership status);
      • religion or belief;
      • age;
      • disability or illness.

 

• The firm will take such steps and make such adjustments as are reasonable in all the circumstances in order to prevent any member of the firm and clients from being placed at a substantial disadvantage in comparison with those who are not disabled.

 

• In addition to the above, when the firm are dealing with members of the firm this will, for example, include arrangements for recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment, access to training opportunities, access to promotion and transfers, grievance and disciplinary processes, demotions, selection for redundancies, dress code, references, work allocation and any other employment related matters having regard to relevant levels of qualification and experience.

Clients

• The firm is generally free to decide whether to accept instructions from any particular client, but any refusal to act will not be based upon any of the prohibited grounds referred to in paragraph 2. However, the firm will take steps to meet the different needs of particular clients arising from its obligations under anti-discrimination legislation.

Implementation and monitoring

• In implementing its equality and diversity policy, this firm will comply with Rule 6 of the Solicitors’ Code of Conduct 2007 and with current and any future anti-discrimination legislation and associated codes of practice and any relevant amendments or re-enactments of such legislation and any relevant amendment to such codes or further codes of practice.

 

• This policy will be monitored periodically by the practice to evaluate its effectiveness and if any changes are required, they will be implemented. The policy will be updated as and when changes in legislation and regulation occur.

 

• Every member of the firm will receive a copy of this policy and it will be available on request to any client and to the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority. A copy of the policy will be included on the firm’s website.

Complaints

• The firm will treat seriously and will take action where appropriate concerning all complaints of breaches of this policy made by members of the firm, clients, barristers or other third parties. All complaints will be investigated in accordance with the firm’s grievance disciplinary and/or complaints procedures and the complainant will be informed of the outcome.