Anti-Racism Statement

2 Hare Court is committed to being an anti-racist organisation. This means not just refraining from acting in a racially discriminatory way, but taking positive steps to confront and remedy the effects of existing and systemic racism in all its forms as we encounter it and as it exists within the systems and industries that we work in.

A key part of that commitment is to create a work environment in which members, trainees, staff and clients from all backgrounds can live and work free from prejudice, discrimination, and marginalisation.

We work to address discrimination in our professional lives but acknowledge that our everyday lifestyle choices and priorities are no less important. We pledge to confront racism in our society and in our own lives; we make this pledge to do what we can because we must.

We recognise that the points that are made in Barbara Mills KC’s and Simon Regis’ report have long been made by those seeking to improve the Bar. We understand that the efforts that have been made at the Bar have not yielded sufficient results and we must commit to more meaningful action in order to make effective change.

As a result, this year 2 Hare Court continues a programme of work that reflects our commitment to be a truly anti-racist organisation in the future. This includes:

• Setting up an internal Race Working Group, led by members with significant experience in addressing issues of discrimination, racism, equality and diversity in the legal profession and beyond.
• Focusing on improving our recruitment and training [for both staff and members] so that our organisation attracts and retains the best talent in our profession from all backgrounds, and properly reflects the diversity of modern society.
• Investing in new programmes and research that addresses structural racism and inequalities at the Bar.
• Working to ensure that our efforts are informed by best practice and fresh, innovative thinking.
• Gathering data and evidence and setting relevant targets to provide a solid foundation for our work and as an effective way of measuring both our challenges and our results.
• A commitment to improving the recruitment of diverse talent into the legal profession by guaranteeing paid mini-pupillages for those who undertake them in chambers, withpriority mini-pupillages reserved for under-represented groups.
• Building on the BSB’s Anti-Racist Statement and the Bar Council’s Framework for Taking Action on Equality, to produce a wider anti-racist action plan, which will include a race equality audit, input from external experts and comprehensive anti-racism training for all members, trainees and staff.
• Continuing with our connection to the Bridging the Bar, BME Legal and other initiatives that aim to improve equality of access to mini-pupillages across all underrepresented groups.

2 Hare Court is dedicated to achieving meaningful and sustainable change and we will continue to develop our anti-racist practice by reviewing and reflecting on its progress on an ongoing basis.

We make this statement to share our intention and to hold ourselves accountable. It is reasonable for victims of racism to take the view that well-meaning words and good intentions are not enough. Organisations that claim to be anti-racist should expect to be judged not just on their stated aims but by their results.