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Diversity

One Pump Court was established in 1978. The Constitution of Chambers, which binds all Members, contains a series of fundamental obligations which demonstrate that Chambers has the express aim of promoting equality of opportunity and access to justice for our clients and access to the Bar for members, regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, social class, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, religion, belief or political persuasion.

One Pump Court is very diverse in its composition. It is committed to ensuring that those who work in Chambers – whether as pupils, tenants or employees – are selected without discrimination.

One Pump Court recognises that in promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and access to justice there is a continuing need for steps to be taken to promote awareness of diversity, and to eliminate potential instances of discrimination to ensure that our commitment to equality, remains meaningful.

Using fearless advocacy and professionalism, One Pump Court provides access to justice for the vulnerable and disadvantaged and fights poverty, abuse, neglect and discrimination, particularly the publicly funded client and those facing tribunals where public funding is not available.

Chambers have been finalists for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year award, won that award in 2013, and also won the Legal Aid Practitioners Group Special Award in 2019. Chambers have also been winners of The Times ‘Inaugural Achievement Award’ for the Legal Organisation that has contributed most towards Equal Opportunities. Since then, we believe we have remained at the forefront in this field and are continually looking for ways to stay at the cutting edge in this area.

Since 2019 members and employees are required to complete anti-oppression training, a course delivered by a member of Chambers who provides anti-oppression training to a variety of organisations. This work has been recognised in the Legal Diversity Awards 2021, where one of our members has been shortlisted in the Diversity Champion category. Chambers is also in the process of signing up to the Women in Law pledge initiative through the Bar Council.

Chambers’ Equality and Diversity and Inclusion Committee regularly arranges talks for members and pupils about, but not restricted to, the protected characteristics in the Equality Act.  These have so far included barristers/practitioners shedding some insight into their practice and experience at the Bar when they are Legally Trans, have a Disability and strictly adhere to their Faith/Religious practices.  Feedback has been extremely positive and these informative and thought-provoking talks will continue and have promoted discussion about inclusivity in our profession.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee within Chambers are currently working on introducing new ways of encouraging applicants from under-repressed groups for pupillage working with Redefined Lawyers. Redefined Lawyers specifically targets aspiring lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds who are missing out on their mini pupillages, work experience and other forms of networking because of COVID. The project has delivered several on-line panel events, skills workshops and Q&A sessions which proved to be hugely popular and well received.

Members of Chambers have signed up to the recent initiative Advocates for Change, as part of the QMU Diversity and Inclusion Mentoring Circle.