Gender pay gap for solicitors widens

The Law Society has released figures recently exposing how far the gender pay gap for solicitors has widened.

Statistics show that women with a legal career earn 30% less than men and the findings are that their male counterparts are out-earning at every grade of the profession.

Male assistants and associates are earning on average £50,000 with females earning much less at £38,000.  For equity partners the median earnings were £60,000 for women in comparison to £70,000 for men.

For those solicitors in private practice the gap was found to have widened from 27% in 2012 to 30% in 2013, however the figures for those employed in-house remained at 28%.

The statistics also revealed a racial earnings gap with white men having the highest average earnings in the legal profession and 25% more than male solicitors from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background.

As the Law Society prepares advice and support to guide law firms how to deal with this, over 400 legal service providers signed up to the Society's Diversity and Inclusion Charter.

Chief Executive of the Law Society, Desmond Hudson responded to the new figures, saying the increase was a 'worrying trend' which needs to be addressed by the profession.

"A solicitor's salary should reflect their experience and skills, not their gender.  We encourage employers to judge a solicitor on merit rather than on their background or the number of hours clocked up each week.

If you have an employment issue and need advice from our business experts, call our Manchester solicitors on 0161 928 5558, or email our experts via fottavianelli@collings-solicitors.co.uk.

Collings Solicitors

Employment Law Specialists

Cheshire & Manchester

Tel; 0161 928 5558