Diversity and Inclusion Council
Attracting the most able and committed lawyers from all backgrounds across the globe is essential for the IBA to maintain and strengthen its status as the world’s leading organisation of legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies.
Co-Chair
Mariana
Estrade
Co-Chair
Margareta
Sovova
The IBA is committed to promoting diversity, equality, respect and inclusion consistent with not only the wealth of studies that demonstrate the advantages of diversity within organisations, but also the fulfilment of human rights and the principles of justice, integrity, equity and the pursuit of excellence upon which the profession is founded.
Diversity and Inclusion Council
Why diversity matters to the IBA
Dignity equally attached to all persons is the cornerstone upon which the rule of law is built. The IBA’s commitment to the independence of the legal profession in the pursuit of the rule of law is directed ultimately to the constant support of dignity equally shared by all.
The IBA will strive to promote diversity, equality and inclusion within IBA operations, across its membership and more broadly within the legal profession. The intention is to preserve and bolster its position as the world’s preeminent organisation of lawyers, to create a fair and just organisation, and to establish a culture of inclusion and support for the benefit of all members and their clients.
The IBA wants to eliminate discrimination and bias – including discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, culture, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, socioeconomic standing, gender identity or sexual orientation – and to support and promote the full and equal participation of all persons within the IBA and its membership.
Resource hub
Areas of work
Bullying and Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession
In 2018, the IBA conducted a global survey on bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession. In Us Too? Bullying and Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession (May 2019), the IBA LPRU analysed this data and outlined 10 recommendations for achieving positive change. The IBA undertook a global engagement campaign, announced the next phase of work, and remains committed to addressing bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession.
Global Directory of Anti-Discrimination Rules
The report is focused on discrimination within the legal profession. It provides an overview of data contained in a separate Directory of rules and regulations adopted by 238 bar associations, law societies, and professional bodies representing 156 countries. The Main Findings analyses and summarises the different approaches taken by professional bodies.
Raising the Bar: Women in Law
An ambitious global project running since 2021 examining women’s representation across all levels, including the most senior, of the legal profession. The 'Raising the Bar: Women in Law' project is the International Bar Association's research project focusing on women's representation across private, public, judicial and in-house legal sectors. The aim of this project is to identify the statistical disparity between men and women at all levels, and identify whether workplace initiatives introduced to address this disparity are having any impact.
Professional Wellbeing Commission
The IBA has embarked on a global campaign aimed at addressing the mental wellbeing of legal professionals around the world. In 2019 a Wellbeing Taskforce convened and conducted two global surveys: one for individual lawyers, the other for legal institutions. The Taskforce published a major report based on the findings, containing 10 key principles as well as the recommendation to create a permanent entity. This was achieved at the end of 2022, when the IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission was established.
Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for Lawyers
This Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Toolkit was developed by the IBA to provide law firms with an action plan to embed the core principles of diversity and inclusion into their organisations. We recognise that our member firms may need guidance and suggestions on D&I awareness, planning and best practices, and we want to encourage and influence our members to take a D&I journey with the aim of a better workplace for all.