What's diversity got to do with the rule of law?

The rule of law is the foundation of a fair society. It is so fundamental that the United Nations (UN) has stated a society in which the rule of law is strengthened should be considered as an outcome of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which contains the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

What is ILBF?

In countries where the rule of law tends to be weaker, access to justice is denied to many. The International Law Book Facility (ILBF), a legal charity founded by Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, seeks to support the rule of law and access to justice for all through sharing legal knowledge. It provides legal textbooks to not-for-profit organisations across the world; the books are used by law students, lawyers and judges to help advance access to justice and the rule of law. The ILBF has distributed more than 72,000 books to over 200 organisations across 54 countries since its foundation.

Anniversary event

The ILBF recently celebrated its 15^th Anniversary at an event which featured fascinating discussion from speakers including Lord Thomas, Lord Burnett of Maldon, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and Professor Richard Susskind OBE on the future of the legal profession and how books and technology can help bridge the justice gap. Professor Susskind noted while 59 per cent of people in the world have access to the internet, only 46 per cent pf people have access to justice. At the event we launched the ILBF’s inaugural law student essay competition, the winner of which will complete a summer internship at international law firm Brown Rudnick next year. The judges include student judges who have the opportunity to work with ILBF trustees, CEO Katrina Crossley, and Brown Rudnick. Lord Thomas and Professor Susskind will pick the ultimate winner, whose essay will be featured in the IBA litigation newsletter. It can be difficult for those from less advantaged backgrounds to secure work placements, as they are less likely to have connections in the legal industry: the ILBF’s competition is an opportunity for all law students to win the internship.

What’s (rule of) law got to do with it?

As diversity, equity and inclusion partner at Brown Rudnick, I am extremely proud to be an ILBF trustee and to be involved in this essay competition. But what does diversity have to do with the ILBF’s mission of advancing the rule of law?

It is well known the profession suffers from a lack of diversity – not just in terms of race and gender – but also background, which is often overlooked as a barrier to entry to the profession. The Solicitors Regulation Authority figures show that 20 per cent of lawyers attended a fee-paying school (this is three times the UK average) and 51 per cent of lawyers have at least one parent with a degree level qualification compared to 19 per cent of the UK working age population. As Lord Burnett said at the ILBF’s event: ‘It’s important the judiciary reflects as best it can the society it serves.’