Improving access to legal careers: Toolkit for partnerships and initiatives

Posted on14 September 2026

New resource launched to help widen access to legal careers

A new toolkit is now available to help law schools, law firms, in-house teams and other legal sector organisations develop partnerships and initiatives that support aspiring solicitors from underrepresented backgrounds.

It brings together practical guidance and case studies showcasing successful partnerships between law schools, law firms and specialist organisations that others can learn from and adapt as needed. It is designed to help organisations identify the outcomes they want to achieve and choose initiatives that best meet their objectives.

These resources build on findings from independent research commissioned by the SRA and carried out by the University of Exeter. This examined the causes of differential outcomes in legal professional assessments and recommended actions for the legal sector.

The toolkit explores a range of approaches being used to improve access and opportunity, including outreach programmes, mentoring and coaching, academic support, work experience and initiatives that help create more inclusive workplaces.

By sharing these approaches already in use across the sector, we hope to encourage greater collaboration and help organisations create opportunities that support a more inclusive and diverse legal profession.

View the toolkit and explore the case studies to learn what your organisation could do.

P.S BLS are delighted to see the West of England Early Careers network feature as one of the case studies! Well done to everyone involved since its launch.

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS