For much of the 19th and early 20th century, the legal profession in the UK was dominated by men from white, upper-class backgrounds. Women and ethnic minorities were either formally barred or informally excluded from entering the profession. This lack of diversity was troubling for a system tasked with representing the wide variety of people living in the UK.

Thankfully, progress has been made over the last century. Today, law is far more inclusive, with people from a range of backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities playing their part. However, real challenges still remain.

Women in Law

It may come as a surprise that women were only legally allowed to enter the profession just over a century ago. The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 opened the doors for women to become solicitors, barristers, and magistrates.

In 1922, Ivy Williams became the first woman to be called to the Bar (Inner Temple). Although she never practised, she went on to teach law and became a role model for younger generations. That same year, Carrie Morrison became the first female solicitor (Law Society). Unlike many of her peers, she did not come from a legal family - her father worked in the London Metal Exchange and her mother was a cook.

Fast forward to today, and women make up 53% of practising solicitors. At entry level, women are the majority across the legal profession, including nearly 60% of pupil barristers.

However, representation falls away at senior levels. Fewer women reach the rank of King’s Counsel or equity partner, and the gender pay gap, though narrowing, still persists. These trends show that while women have come a long way, structural barriers to progression remain.

Ethnic Minority Representation

Progress has also been made in the representation of Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority groups. Nearly 20% of practising solicitors now come from ethnic minority backgrounds (SRA 2023), which is higher than their proportion in the general working-age population. At the Bar, 17% of barristers identify as from ethnic minority groups.

But the story changes at senior levels. In the judiciary, ethnic minority representation is still below the 15% benchmark for the working-age population. Within law firms, the larger the firm, the smaller the proportion of minority ethnic lawyers in leadership roles. Data shows that Black lawyers remain significantly underrepresented in senior legal and judicial positions.

Despite this, the long-term trend is positive. With more minority ethnic lawyers entering the profession than ever before, the pipeline for future leaders is growing.

Socio-Economic Diversity

Beyond gender and ethnicity, socio-economic background remains one of the toughest barriers. SRA research shows that only 18% of lawyers come from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

The costs of training, unpaid internships, and the competitive nature of the sector often make law inaccessible for talented people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Networking also plays a key role in recruitment and advancement, and those without established contacts are often left behind.

To tackle this, initiatives like PRIME (Prime Commitment) and ACCESS (Bar Standards Board) have emerged, helping to level the playing field. The Equal Merit Provision, introduced under the Crime and Courts Act 2013, also helps when appointing judges: if two candidates are equally qualified, preference can be given to improve diversity

Why Diversity Matters

Diversity in the legal profession is not just a numbers game - it is about fairness, representation, and strengthening the justice system. A diverse legal profession ensures that lawyers and judges better reflect the people they serve. Clients benefit from different perspectives, and institutions gain legitimacy when they are representative of society.

Diversity fosters innovation and  breaks down stereotypes, inspiring the next generation of lawyers from all backgrounds.

Timeline of Key Milestones for Women in UK Law

• 1919: Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act allows women to enter the legal profession

• 1922: Ivy Williams becomes the first female barrister (Inner Temple).

• 1922: Carrie Morrison becomes the first female solicitor (Law Society).

• 1949: Helena Normanton and Rose Heilbron become the first female King’s Counsel.

• 1965: Elizabeth Lane becomes the first woman High Court judge.

• 2004: Lady Brenda Hale becomes the first female Law Lord.

• 2017: Lady Hale becomes the first female President of the UK Supreme Court.

The Future of Law

While historic progress has been made, challenges around gender equality, ethnic representation, and socio-economic access remain. Too often, aspiring lawyers are held back by financial obstacles, unpaid internships, or lack of connections.

That’s why initiatives focused on widening access and providing resources are so important. They help ensure the legal profession of tomorrow reflects the diverse society it serves. A more diverse legal profession means a fairer justice system.

The progress so far is inspiring, but the responsibility to keep pushing for change rests with us—the next generation of lawyers.

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Article written by Nikita Vlaev, Sixth Form Student.