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Diversity law and regulations

An overview of the law concerning diversity and discrimination in the UK, with the latest case summaries and useful guidance.

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Legislation

The ICAEW Library holds numerous publications on discrimination law and subscribes to major legal databases. For information on using these resources, please contact the Library.
Industrial Cases Reports Express
  • The Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for England & Wales (ICLR)
Free case summaries involving employment law, discrimination and other subjects.
An overview of the Legal Services Act 2007
  • PDF (137kb)
  • ICAEW
An overview of the Legal Services Act 2007.
Equality Act 2010
  • UK Government
Read the full text of the UK's Equality Act 2010.
Legal Services Act 2007
  • GOV.UK
Full text of the Act as enacted and revised, with explanatory notes. The Act makes provision for the regulation of persons who carry on certain legal activities.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided ‘as is’ with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

Guidance

Selected links to guidance on diversity in the workplace.
Employers: preventing discrimination
  • 2023
  • GOV.UK
Details of employers' responsibilities, covering recruitment, pay and discrimination during employment.
Discrimination and the Equality Act 2010
  • 2020
  • Acas
Overview of the law regarding discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 and the nine protected characteristics.
Probate diversity data collection and reporting
  • 2025
  • Professional Standards Department
Find out more about the diversity reporting requirements for probate accredited firms. The survey will launch in February 2025, and the next reporting deadline is 30 April 2025.
Equality Act 2010
  • 2018
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission
Guidance on the Equality Act 2010 from the EHRC. Covers the purpose of the Equality Act and who it protects. EHRC Codes of Practice covering the Equality Act 2020 are also available; these provide detailed explanations of the provisions in the Act and apply the legal concepts to everyday situations.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided ‘as is’ with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

Probate diversity data

All firms accredited for probate services are required to collect, report and publish diversity data about their employees. While this is a regulatory requirement, there are many benefits to focusing on diversity and inclusion.
Probate diversity data results
  • Article
  • Business Law
All firms accredited for probate services are required to collect, report and publish diversity data about their employees.
Diversity reporting FAQs
  • Helpsheets and support
  • Professional Standards Department
A list of frequently asked questions around the subject of diversity reporting in probate including requirements, statutory and social relevance and how ICAEW handles sensitivity of data.
ICAEW Probate Diversity Report 2023
  • Report
  • PDF (1,114kb)
  • ICAEW
This report sets out the results of diversity monitoring by ICAEW firms accredited for the reserved legal service of probate as of 31 March 2023. This report is produced and prepared by OMB Research, on behalf of ICAEW.
ICAEW Probate Diversity Statistics 2023
  • Report
  • PDF (755kb)
  • ICAEW
Data analysed by OMB Research.

Industry press

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of industry press articles as a benefit of ICAEW membership. If you are unable to access an article, please see our Online resources troubleshooting or contact library@icaew.com.
Exclusive How women can win in the workplace
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2025
  • Kweilin Ellingrud, Lareina Yee, María del Mar Martínez
Despite excelling academically, women often fall behind in career advancement due to a lack of experience capital. This article discusses systemic issues and offers strategies for women to build skills and advance their careers, including seeking supportive employers, making bold career moves, and embracing technology.
Exclusive Time to double down on DEI
  • Article
  • 01 Jan 2025
  • Paige Hagy
Paige Hagy examines the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within the accounting profession, against the backdrop of a wider corporate pushback against these initiatives.
Exclusive UK asset managers push for greater ethnic diversity on boards
  • Article
  • 06 Nov 2024
  • Lucca de Paoli
The Investment Association plans to warn shareholders about companies that aren't making enough progress on increasing ethnic diversity in their boardrooms.
Women appointed or testified as sole expert witnesses in just 9% of disputes worldwide in 2023, new survey from ERE reveals
  • Article
  • 17 Jul 2024
  • Kathryn Britten
The second survey from Equal Representation for Expert Witnesses (ERE), conducted in collaboration with global consulting firm AlixPartners, reveals a growing desire among legal professionals to effect change – and a burgeoning pipeline of aspiring expert witnesses – notwithstanding a lack of tangible progress in the number of women taking the witness stand.
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