Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Diversity definition

What does Diversity mean? In legal practice, diversity describes designing or procuring two or more separate and dissimilar systems that perform the same function so that a single fault, common design error or shared dependency is less likely to disable all protections at once. It complements redundancy: rather than like-for-like duplication, the systems are independent and varied (for example, different vendors, technologies, code bases, power feeds or physical routes). This is not generally defined in statute or case law; it is a descriptive risk‑control concept recognised in regulator guidance and industry standards, and is routinely addressed in contracts, safety cases and procurement for critical infrastructure,...

Managing unconscious bias in law firms: recognising types, everyday impacts, and practical steps to improve diversity, inclusion, recruitment, promotion and performance

Published by a LexisNexis Practice Management expert

Practice notes

Practice Note on Unconscious Bias

This Practice Note provides guidance for law firms on unconscious bias, including what it is, how it can affect Diversity and inclusion (D&I), and ways it can be tackled.

Further information on D&I can be found in the following Practice Notes:

Diversity Monitoring—law firms
Attracting diverse talent—law firms
Retaining diverse talent—law firms

What is unconscious bias?

How people think is shaped by their socialisation, life experiences and exposure to others’ perspectives. At times, individuals hold preferences, beliefs or views about others that are not accurate or reasonable; this is unconscious bias. Such bias influences a person’s judgement, behaviour and perceptions.

Each of us has a distinctive set of experiences from which we form our values—eg what matters in life, work and our beliefs. This creates a personal sense of what feels familiar, and therefore comfortable and safe. What lies outside that frame is different, unfamiliar and may feel more difficult to engage with. For many, it is a natural instinct to gravitate towards people who resemble themselves...

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Beth Pipe , FCIPD

OnLive Learning

Beth is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD) and has spent over 25 years specialising in Learning and Development. During that time she has worked across a broad variety of different industries and has, for the past 15 years, worked closely with a number of well known law firms; this has involved putting in to place systems and structures to encourage, enable and track the effectiveness of learning activities. Adept at face to face course delivery, and always enjoying excellent feedback, Beth is also accomplished at online delivery and created OnLive Learning in response to the challenges presented by the 2020 Covid-19 restrictions.Beth has written extensively for LexisNexis on subjects such as Performance Management, Managing Change and Stress Management. Away from her training delivery she is a published author writing about local history, hiking, wildlife and the outdoors and is...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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