Labor Government Committed To Equality In The Legal Profession
Attorney-General Martin Pakula today released a report detailing the number of legal briefs provided to women barristers by the Victorian Government.
The Andrews Labor Government is committed to publishing the briefing figures annually, following the practice being dropped by the previous Liberal Government.
The Women Barristers Briefing Report 2009/10 – 2014/15 has identified that $32 million in fees were charged, with female barristers receiving around 25 per cent of these fees.
The new Government Legal Services Panel recently announced by Mr Pakula will require private firms contracted by the Government to report regularly on their briefing of female barristers, comply with the Victorian Bar's Equal Opportunity Briefing Policy, and report on their equal opportunity arrangements in the workplace.
In-house legal units in government departments and agencies will also be required to record their briefs to barristers by gender, seniority and fees paid.
The Labor Government will release future data on an annual basis in comprehensive reports.
The report can be found at justice.vic.gov.au
"The new Legal Services Panel will ensure that firms used by the Government report on how regularly they brief female barristers. Our departments and agencies will also report the same information."
"The Women Barristers Briefing report is an important measure to ensure we achieve equality, which is why we're making sure it's published."
"Better record keeping will mean that these reports are even more comprehensive in the future."
"The Andrews Labor Government is committed to supporting gender equality in the legal profession."