EQUALITY & DIVERSITY DATA

Great James Street Chambers is committed to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion within Chambers and more generally at the Bar. We aim to provide a working environment and culture which values and recognises difference and tackles discrimination proactively, ensuring that no individual or group is treated less favourably.

No person will at any time be discriminated against on grounds of sex, age, marital status, religion or belief, colour, race, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or political persuasion.

Our Equality and Diversity Policy applies to all members of Chambers and staff and can be accessed here:

www.greatjames.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Equality-and-Diversity-Policy.pdf

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officers (EDI/EDO) and Diversity Data Officers (DDO) are Amanda Jones and Paul Edwards.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Diversity Data

Data collection

Chambers last collected diversity data in February 2026.

The collection of diversity data is an entirely voluntary process and is undertaken on a three-year cycle, in line with regulatory expectations and best practice. Data is collected anonymously and used to help Chambers:

• understand its overall diversity profile
• identify any potential barriers to equality or inclusion
• inform future EDI policies and initiatives

Chambers comprises 40 barristers and 5 clerks. A total of 30 individuals responded to the 2026 survey.

Diversity data – February 2026 (aggregated results)

Role of respondents

• Barristers (including pupils): approximately 80%
• Clerks / staff: approximately 20%

Sex and gender

• Female: approximately 47%
• Male: approximately 53%

The majority of respondents indicated that their gender identity is the same as the sex assigned to them at birth. A small number selected “prefer not to say”.

Ethnicity

Respondents identified as belonging to the following broad ethnic groups:

• White: approximately 50%
• Black / African / Caribbean / Black British: approximately 30%
• Asian / Asian British: approximately 10%
• Mixed or multiple ethnic groups: approximately 10%

Disability

• Disabled (including long-term health conditions): approximately 40%
• Not disabled: approximately 60%

Disability is defined in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Sexual orientation

• Heterosexual / straight: approximately 80%
• Bisexual: approximately 7%
• Prefer not to say: approximately 13%

Religion or belief

• Religion or belief: approximately 60%
• No religion: approximately 40%

Age

• Under 35: approximately 30%
• 35–49: approximately 35%
• 50+: approximately 35%

Socio-economic background
(Secondary education)

• UK state school: approximately 70%
• UK independent / fee-paying school: approximately 17%
• Educated outside the UK: approximately 13%

Inclusion and culture

Respondents were asked whether they feel able to raise concerns about discrimination or harassment in Chambers.

• Agree: 100% of respondents

Anonymity and publication of data

Due to the size of Chambers and the number of completed diversity questionnaires, Chambers is permitted to exclude diversity data relating to any characteristic where there is a real risk that individuals could be identified, unless all individuals concerned consent to publication.

For this reason:

• data is reported only in aggregated form
• no breakdown is provided by job title or seniority
• categories with low numbers are grouped or withheld
• data is not cross-tabulated in a way that could identify individuals

Use and retention of data

Chambers continues to:

• monitor diversity data internally
• retain appropriate records for regulatory and compliance purposes
• review its policies and practices in light of the data collected

Diversity data is not used to make decisions about individuals.

You can download the report here

Further information

Further information and guidance on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found on the Bar Standards Board website: https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity.html