Here at MBK solicitors, all members of the team ensure that we are dedicated in treating our colleagues, clients, third parties and other solicitors with complete equality. We certify to disregard unlawful discrimination and we endlessly encourage equality and diversity in the firm. 

In obedience to the Equality Act 2010, we undertake to treat each individual equally and to deliver the equivalent form of respect, courtesy and consideration in irrespective of: 

• Gender reassignment 
• Age 
• Race/ Ethnicity/ Nationality 
• Disability 
• Sexual orientation
• Sex
• Belief or Religion 
• Pregnancy and maternity 
• Marriage/Civil partnership status 

At MBK Solicitors, we as a team take responsibility to at all times avoid unlawful discrimination under all legislations in place and in accordance to terms of contracts and take in consideration not to discriminate in relations to employment as well as when providing our services.

As a firm we are devoted to recognising the diverse needs of our clients. We ensure to identify the needs of our clients and progress in procedures and policies placing out how we intend to meet our client’s needs. Examples of what we highly take into consideration are factors such as needs of clients with disability. We strive to provide them with comfortability and access. We also take procedures for clients who are unable to communicate efficiently in English. We will contemplate whether specific groups are dominant within our client base and develop suitable policies to meet their needs: including people of religious beliefs; ethnic groups; both women and men; children and elderly and diverse nationality.

We have set out a procedure to classify the prevention and removal of any discrimination within the firm in both when dealing with clients and also employees. Ms Karina Farid, the firm’s principal acts as an assemble point in which matters or concerns should be reported to her, in which she can then monitor and regulate any obstacles that may act as a form of discrimination. As a firm we also make sure that we are asking our clients for what is best comfortable for them and to express any needs or concerns so we can act upon this. 

3.Employment and working with the firm  

When acting as an employer, the firm sets out to treat all job applicants and existing colleagues equally and in a fair manner and take reflection on not to unlawfully discriminate against them. This intention applies to anyone who has interest in working with us even when it is someone who is working at the firm as a volunteer position. The same treatment is provided to all applicants such as procedures and requirements of applying for the firm is one same procedure for any gender, race, age and any factor of one’s individuality. Also, when making arrangements for recruitment we declare to provide equal opportunities in selection, terms and conditions of employment, access to training opportunities, access to promotion and transfers, grievance and disciplinary processes, demotions, selection for redundancies, dress code, references, bonus schemes, work allocation and any other employment related activities.

MBK Solicitors will treat all employees equally and generate a working environment which is free from unlawful discrimination. The facility of benefits such as flexible working hours, maternity, grievance leave arrangements, holidays, performance appraisal systems, dress code, bonus schemes and any other conditions of employment will not unlawfully discriminate against any employee on the grounds of their age; gender and gender reassignment; marital status; race; religion or belief; sexual orientation or on the grounds of disability. Where needed, the firm will attempt to provide suitable facilities and conditions of service which take into account the specific needs of employees which arise from their background or individuality.

4.Dealings with Third Parties 

We as a firm will not discriminate when in procedures of dealings with other parties. This includes third parties as well as any other legal services or even barristers. 

When working with other organisations we make sure that we notify them about our strong principles in regards to discrimination and we expect them to follow procedures thoroughly without any scope of any discrimination on their end. The firm will seek to work with organisations that have similar views and attitude to equality and diversity. 

We MBK Solicitors believe that we have a duty to uphold this policy and to act upon our principles of equal opportunity. We take certain steps to enable responsibility to run the policy. The firm has assigned the principal Ms Karina Farid to be responsible for the process. All other members and employees of the firm are expected to act within the policy and be responsible for safeguarding obedience with the policy when preforming their roles and specially when representing the firm. Any actions that are seen as discrimination on any of the prohibited aspects acted by members of the firm or employees will consequence in a disciplinary action. The policy will be well explained and outlined to each and every member of the firm therefore there are high expectations that employees follow the policy. 

 

If any act of discrimination does take place within the firm either by employees or members to even outside the firm such as third parties and clients, then such matters will be taken as importance and priority will be given into resolving the matter and taking action where necessary. 

Not only will we continue to monitor for further possibilities of action but we will ensure that we are monitoring matters that have already occurred and this we will monitor closely to see if the act and outcome we provided has taken effect.

  

We as a firm will work together as a team to make sure that there are not any occurrences of discrimination and to uphold the policy there be regularly evaluation regarding matters with assessing discrimination and this can simply done by asking our employees and clients on how they feel on our service and treatments towards them and ask questions if necessary in what would make them feel more comfortable. In terms of encountering a diverse work environment and also a client base we will continue to take on employees from all different backgrounds and beliefs and be happy to accept any individual that has different characteristics. We will continue to monitor and record any incidents and provide training where necessary.