Sharpe Pritchard joins the Equal Representation in Adjudication Pledge

Sharpe Pritchard has underscored its commitment to equal representation in the legal profession by signing the Equal Representation in Adjudication Pledge.

Last autumn, the Centre for Construction Law & Dispute Resolution at King’s College London, in collaboration with The Adjudication Society, released the report ‘2022 Construction Adjudication in the United Kingdom: Tracing Trends and Guiding Reform.’ The study revealed that a mere 7.88% of adjudicators are women.

In response to this finding and as an initial step toward achieving equal representation for all and boosting the number of female adjudicators, The Adjudication Society introduced two initiatives on 28 February, one of which is the Equal Representation in Adjudication Pledge. This pledge signifies a commitment to enhancing the visibility and representation of women as adjudicators in the UK.

By signing the pledge, Sharpe Pritchard further demonstrates its dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion within the firm and the legal services industry.

Justin Mendelle, Senior Partner and Head of Construction at Sharpe Pritchard, said: “We are proud to join the Equal Representation in Adjudication Pledge.

“Achieving true equality, diversity and inclusion is a core aim at Sharpe Pritchard.

“This initiative will provide greater opportunities for women in adjudication, address the longstanding imbalance in the industry and inspire a future generation of female adjudicators.”

Sharpe Pritchard’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is further exemplified by its long ongoing initiatives such as our family-friendly and flexible working policies, our partnerships with 10,000 Black Interns, LeGal BesT, Prime, Noticed, and The Sutton Trust, as well as being a signatory to the Law Society’s Equality and Diversity Charter.

The firm actively encourages and supports the career progression of underrepresented groups and is dedicated to creating an inclusive culture that fosters growth and success for all. It is a recognised Disability confident employer, reported a 0% pay gap with 58% of billed hours in the last year (1/12/21-30/11/22) recorded by women and ranked in the top 75 employers in this year’s Social Mobility Index.

For more information on Equal Representation in Adjudication Pledge, please visit https://www.adjudication.org/diversity/equal-representation-in-adjudication-pledge

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