Introduction
ICAEW has published its Probate Diversity Report 2025, based on survey responses from over 10,000 staff across ICAEW’s probate-accredited firms. These results from our fifth Probate Diversity Survey track progress, highlight areas where improvement is needed, and provide a benchmark for firms to reflect on.
This year’s findings show encouraging trends, including a steady rise in ethnic diversity and increased representation of staff with a disability. The 2025 survey introduced new questions on neurodivergence, revealing that over 1 in 10 staff identify as neurodivergent. Most however, have not disclosed this to their employer – highlighting opportunities for firms to foster more supportive workplace cultures. The data also shows strong indicators of social mobility, with many staff being the first in their families to attend university, and a majority coming from state school backgrounds. Flexible working and parental leave policies also continue to play an important role in supporting working parents.
While collecting and publishing diversity data is a regulatory requirement, its value extends far beyond compliance. We hope this report will act as a practical resource for firms, helping them to understand the makeup of their teams, recognise areas for improvement, and take meaningful steps to drive change.
These biennial Probate Diversity Reports contribute to our regulatory objective to encourage a strong, independent, diverse, and effective legal profession, under the Legal Services Act 2007.