Equality and Diversity

4 New Square is committed to Equality and Diversity.

 We do not discriminate on the grounds of:

• Age;
• Disability;
• Gender reassignment
• Marital status or civil partnership status
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Religious or other belief (including political belief)
• Sex;
• Sexual orientation;
• Having or not having dependents; or
• Physical characteristics.

We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, including direct & indirect discrimination, victimisation and harassment. 

Although as a set of Chambers we work together in pursuit of a common purpose, we recognise that it is the contribution which we make as individuals which creates our success. This is the reason that Chambers sets out its policy clearly and adheres to it. We recognise that the provision of equal opportunities in Chambers will help Members of Chambers, pupils and staff to develop their full potential, talent and resources and allow us as an organisation to succeed.

We have a comprehensive Equal Opportunities Policy which applies to clients, members of Chambers and members of staff, pupils, mini-pupils, pupillage and tenancy applicants, job applicants, contract workers, agency workers, trainee workers and students on work experience or placements, volunteer workers, former members of Chambers and former members of staff. It sets out the policies which we have adopted in order to comply with the obligations imposed upon us by law, the Bar Code of Conduct and the Attorney General’s Equality and Diversity Expectations Statement.

All members of Chambers and members of staff receive regular equality and diversity training and, additional relevant training is provided to members of Chambers and staff who are involved in recruitment.

We have a parenthood leave policy which gives rent and expenses free periods to primary and secondary carers. We also support flexible working. We have a Fair Allocation of Work Committee which monitors the allocation of work between members of Chambers.

A number of members of Chambers are actively involved with the Social Mobility Foundation, both as e-mentors and in hosting SMF candidates for placements.

Chambers has two Equal Opportunities Officers. They are currently Ben Hubble QC and Sian Mirchandani. Together with other appropriate members of Chambers, the Equal Opportunities Officers monitor the effective implementation of the Equal Opportunities Policy and regularly review its effectiveness.