Playing it safe: Why law firms continue to discriminate on the basis of social class

It may come as no surprise to read that the UK's leading law firms discriminate on the basis of social class when recruiting.

The Milburn Review, published in 2009, confirmed that entry into the professions in the UK had become significantly more difficult for less privileged people during the past thirty years. For example, lawyers born in 1970 grew up in families with an income 65 per cent above the national average, compared to 38 per cent above in 1958.

Most law firms insist that they value diversity. One question then is: why do leading law firms persist in discriminating on the basis of social class?

A team from the Centre for Professional Service Firms has put together a report that is now available for you to view below.