Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity

All matters concerning equality, diversity and inclusion relating to the Inn’s activities are overseen by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Sub-Committee. This includes:

• Leading the development of Inn’s equality and diversity policies
• Undertaking initiatives to widen access to and strengthen diversity in:
  • Pre-membership
  • The Inn’s membership
  • Bench Table
  • The Bar
  • The Inn’s staff
• Communicating the Inn’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to provide focus and a channel for views on equality, diversity and inclusion at the Inn
• Providing advice and assistance to the Inn in highlighting and considering ways in which the Inn’s activities can assist in breaking down barriers to accessing the profession which are connected to protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010
• Supporting the strategic aims of the Inn

In discharging our Royal Charter purpose to provide accommodation and education for “students and practitioners of the laws of the realm”, our mission in Inner Temple is to be inclusive and welcoming to all.

In carrying out that mission, we will:

1. Seek to ensure that our membership reflects the diversity of the society that the Bar serves.
2. Enshrine equality, diversity and inclusivity into all our policies and practices.
3. Develop a culture at the Inn that promotes equality, diversity and inclusivity.
4. Ensure that the Inn provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all people who engage with our activities, events and services including our staff.
5. Ensure that all members of the Inner Temple and our staff feel valued and able to contribute.
6. Promote tolerance and respect for others in all of our activities.

The current EDI Action Plan includes the following key areas:

1. Improve the Inn’s data collection, management and reporting to ensure that committees can make informed decisions and actions on EDI issues
2. To keep under review all policies (E&D Policy, staff policies, BTOs) every two years to ensure that they are fit for purpose/complying with best practice
3. Increase the number of places on the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme to 100 placements by 2025
4. Complete the agreed scholarships assessment process upgrade including using contextual recruitment systems
5. To continue to develop the Library Allyship Collection
6. Work to develop understandings of the perception of inclusion at the Inn by using feedback forms and other survey as an opportunity to measure how staff and members feel about the EDI work and culture at the Inn
7. Continue to develop the Inn’s inclusion programme with a focus on intersectionality by organising inclusion-focused events for staff and members and engaging more actively where appropriate with existing EDI networks and services
8. Increase the diversity of volunteers, especially for educational activities, by ensuring that members have the support and opportunities to volunteer
9. EDI Staff Team to review the staff EDI action plan

Chair: Professor Leslie Thomas KC
Vice Chair: Rachel Spearing

Members (in alphabetical order):
Christine Agnew KC
Grahame Aldous KC
Mavis Amonoo-Acquah
Bibi Badejo
Dr Vanessa Davies
Anneliese Day KC
Her Honour Judge Levitt KC
Dr Oliver Lewis
Harry Matovu KC
Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC
Dr Tunde Okewale MBE
Simon Regis
Selvaraju Ramasamy KC
His Honour Judge Jeremy Richardson KC
Professor Iyiola Solanke
Richard Salter KC (Reader)
The Hon Mr Justice Soole (Treasurer)
Her Honour Judge Spiro
Malek Wan Daud
Interim Secretary:  Richard Loveridge, Education Operations and Project Manager 
In attendance: Greg Dorey CVO, Sub-Treasurer