DiversityInclusionRuleOfLawThis session seeks to explore issues of gender parity in the legal profession following the launch of the ground breaking IBA & LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation nine year global gender project - ‘50:50 by 2030’ - in 2021. 

Discussion will centre on the results of the study in England and Wales, Spain and Uganda, (in addition to seeing where we are in other jurisdictions underway), exploring the early findings. The discussion will delve into the root causes of gender inequality at senior levels of the legal profession, (looking at challenges such as child care, work life balance, menopause support, culture) and consider whether specific diversity initiatives yield meaningful impact. More broadly it will explore the situation of women lawyers post pandemic and in the context of wider sustainability concerns. It will consider whether there can be any real gender parity at the most senior levels in sectors where billing time and time spent at work may equate to longer term success.