Equality & Diversity Policy

Richard J Knaggs & Co aims for a diverse and all-encompassing workplace, to maximize our business outcomes and attract, recruit, employ and preserve a talented staff.  

We are committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and bias, to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.     

The purpose of the policy is to provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment, whether temporary, part-time or full-time. Not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. This includes in pay and benefits, terms and conditions of employment, dealing with grievances and discipline, dismissal, redundancy, leave for parents, requests for flexible working, and selection for employment, promotion, training or other developmental opportunities. 

The Firm take all reasonable steps to ensure that the firm and its staff do not unlawfully discriminate under:

  • The Equality Act 2010;

  • The Employment Rights Act 1996;

  • The Human Rights Act 1998;

  • The Part-Time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000;

  • The Fixed-Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000;

  • The Work and Families Act 2006;

  • The Civil Partnership Act 2004; and

  • Any other relevant legislation in force from time to time relating to discrimination in employment and the provision of goods, facilities or services. 

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is supported by the following diversity and inclusion beliefs: 

1.     Our diverse and inclusive workplace is representative of  the communities in which we operate. 

2.     Our recruitment and promotion practices are translucent, consistent and fair 

3.     Our workplaces promote flexible work practices to support the needs and responsibilities of our people

4.     We are all accountable for the creation of an inclusive work environment where individual difference is understood, respected and valued.

Our Partners are accountable to monitor the effectiveness of these expectations and provide visible guidance for this policy.  The Partners have  established quantifiable objectives for accomplishing diversity at Richard J Knaggs & Co Solicitors. The Partners will annually review the objectives and our progress in achieving them or more regularly if we identify any non-compliance or problem concerning equality and diversity issues with clients or personnel).  We will take remedial action if we discover non-compliance under this policy or barriers to equal opportunities.  When reviewing the policy we will consider the outcome of monitoring and review actions under our communications and training plans.

The firm will provide equal opportunities information to the Legal Aid Agency as required in relation to personnel and clients under the terms of the LAA Contracts.

Every member of the Firm will receive a copy of this policy together with the Equal Opportunities Policy and it will be available on request to any client and to the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority. 

The responsibility for application of this policy rests everyone at Richard Knaggs & Co Solicitors. 

Richard J Knaggs
Senior Partner. December 2020