Paris Smith places great value on the unique and varied talents of our people and we understand that meaningful diversity within the Firm contributes directly to excellence in client service.  Therefore we seek to integrate diversity into all our activities and foster an inclusive culture.  We believe this is achieved by recruiting and retaining diverse talent, understanding and delivering the needs of our diverse clients, and supporting the diverse community which we serve.

Underpinning this is our commitment to providing equal opportunities in the work place.  This means that all job applicants, employees and partners will receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability.  We ensure that people have the opportunity to join the Firm and to develop their full potential regardless of their background.

We acknowledge that increasingly our people have to balance their career aspirations and work responsibilities with a wide range of domestic issues, such as caring for children, or elderly or infirm relatives.  We therefore support applications for flexible working hours where it is practicable to do so.  We also support the governments child care voucher scheme.

We are also committed to not discriminating in the way we provide our services or use service providers.

Employment

Paris Smith is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. This means that all job applicants, employees and partners will receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability.

The Firm will take steps to ensure that job applications are attracted from as wide a group as possible and will ensure that there are equal opportunities for applicants in all stages of the recruitment process.

Promotions within the Firm are made without regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability and are based solely on merit.

Clients

The Firm is generally free to decide whether to accept instructions from any particular client, but any refusal to act will not be based upon the race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability of the prospective client.

Experts (Counsel, Agents and other specialist suppliers)

Experts will be instructed on the basis of their skills, experience and ability and in accordance with the Firm’s Expert Register. The Firm will not, on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability, avoid instructing an expert.

In the event of a client requesting that an expert be instructed in circumstances which could be discriminatory, the Firm will endeavour to persuade the client to modify instructions to avoid any potential discrimination. Should the client refuse to modify such instructions, the Firm may cease to act.

Bullying and Harassment

Bullying and harassment in any form will not be allowed or condoned.

All Dealings

The Firm will deal with all persons with the same attention, courtesy and consideration regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability.

Monitoring and review

Our Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy will be monitored periodically by the Firm to judge its effectiveness.