Law Society reveals 42 per cent gender pay gap among members

New research by the Law Society of Scotland shows a 42 per cent gender pay gap among its members, the lawyers’ body has revealed.

The figure was reached by comparing average full-time and full-time equivalent (for part time/flexible hours employees) salaries for women and men at all career stages.

Janet Hood, convenor of the Law Society’s equality and diversity committee said the gap “reflects very badly on what is otherwise a modern and forward-thinking profession”.

She added: “There are many and nuanced reasons why the gender pay gap exists, and the legal profession is certainly not alone – figures from November 2014 show that the overall UK gap was 9.4 percent.

“However we have seen little change in the past decade compared to other professions such as accountancy or dentistry and it is a major concern that such a substantial gap persists 45 years after the UK Equal Pay Act and 10 years of Law Society equality research and promoting good practice within the legal profession.”

Ms Hood said the issue could not be ignored “for either ethical or business reasons” and there should be “no limit” set on the talent and ambition of women in the sector.

The Law Society’s report shows the average gender pay gap within Scotland’s legal profession at specific stages ranges from 2 per cent to 38 per cent and affects solicitors working in private practice law firms and those working in house for other organisations.

The findings have shown that in the earlier stages of solicitors’ careers, there is very little difference between male and female solicitors’ earnings.

However from age 36 onwards, women appear to be paid lower salaries than men of the same age, with women more prevalent in the salary bands up to £65,000 and men more prevalent in salary bands over £65,000.

Women also tend to remain associates or assistants rather than be promoted to partner level.

Though the Society found very little direct discrimination in terms of women being paid less for directly equivalent roles and experience, it voiced concerns that assumptions were made about women, with the report indicating that women earn less than their male counterparts whether or not they have children.

In the later stages of a solicitor’s career, the research indicates there is a smaller gap of 32 per cent for solicitors who have been qualified for 21-30 years, and 21 per cent for those qualified 31+ years.

However, this is largely due to lower male earnings in these age groups, rather than increased pay for women.

The Law Society, which published equality standards earlier this year, said it also plans to publish a series of guides for solicitors returning to work following a period of maternity, paternity or adoption leave and is currently seeking views from solicitors on their return to work experiences.

Ms Hood added: “I hope that publishing the gender pay gap figures and making them a discussion point will help empower people to ask questions and stimulate further change – and that in another decade we will not see such a significant pay gap between male and female solicitors.”