Corporate Social Responsibility Plan

• As part of our commitment to innovation, we implement cutting edge new technologies that allow us to cut costs associated with the most labour intensive sides of the legal practice. The use of technologies, however, should never compromise the quality of service. The client should always be fully informed of the potential financial implications and no instructions should be accepted from the client where it aims to reduce costs by endangering the quality of the advice and representation provided by the Firm.
• We are committed to being transparent about costs. We shall endeavour to give the client a fixed fee arrangement where it is possible. Where the fixed fee cannot be agree, the client shall be offered at least an estimate of the hours that we expect to work on their case and we should actively work towards keeping to that estimate. At any time, when the member of the staff identifies likelihood of surpassing the time estimate, they should discuss the matter with one of the Firm’s directors and then contact the client with the relevant information on the further costs. In any event, the client needs to be constantly updated in relation to the costs they have incurred so far and the prognosis of future costs.
• We are specialist lawyers this means that our departments are specialised and all our lawyers have years of experienced in their respective areas of expertise. In allocating new enquiries and instructions the first priority is to allocate the work to the relevant department. The departments may have different capacity and the assessment of whether the firm has capacity to take new instructions should be department specific.
• We offer remote access and flexible communication which helps the Firm mitigate the risks where the business might be disrupted due to series of events (partial or total lack of access to the building, electricity and telecommunication system failure, transport or weather issues etc). Furthermore, it offers the clients flexibility in terms of time they can have access to our services. We rely on the use of numerous modern day communication devices and venues to achieve better and more flexible communication with the client. However, on initiating any contact with the Client, the relevant staff member needs to consider confidentiality as paramount. All communication should be via secure means and carried out from a place where confidentiality can be maintained. No communication can be carried out via means that have not been pre-approved by the Firm’s directors and the IT Department. Should the client initiate communication where the member of staff is unsure of the level of security or confidentiality, they should advise the client the channel is not secure, that they will contact them at the earliest opportunity of having a secured and confidential conversation and stop any further communication.
• For most of the case we offer a free of charge assessment of the case. This will allow the client to know their legal standpoint prior to committing to paying legal costs.
• We cover several vital areas of practice, this means that we are positioned exceptionally well to take care of most of the legal issues that an average individual or business faces.
• We have a culture of mutual criticism. This allows us to catch any mistakes before they leave our desks. It also means that all our lawyers and junior staff constantly strives to do better and learns to be better.

In order to achieve this vision and aim, the Firm has developed Strategic goals around the following headings:

• Service excellence
• Best use of resources
• A great place to work
• Leading Service Provider
• Responsive and Accountable to our communities

The aims and objectives within the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy are based on achievement of the following:

• Improve services for clients
• To save money or create better value for money for clients
• To increase efficiency and create conditions where inefficiencies can be driven out

Nationally, there is an increasing recognition of the importance of organisations making decisions and using resources in ways that benefit rather than damage the economic, social and environmental conditions in which they operate. This is fundamentally what CSR is about.

CSR is defined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development as: ‘the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the community and society at large’.

This strategy sets out the context and framework to maximise the potential for the Firm to be a good corporate citizen, being responsible and sustainable in the way that it fulfils its strategic goals.

The Firm was initially set up by Rakhi Singal as a way of providing legal services in a more client friendly manner. In doing so, she concluded a brief survey to understand what is the clients current perception of legal services and how it can be improved. Further analysis on the basis of open source research was conducted by the Directors Rakhi Singal and Lusine Navasardyan and he following CSR vision was developed:

‘Delivering quality services that reflect the needs of the clients, are cost friendly and making a wider contribution to how the legal services are viewed’.

This vision will be achieved through the development and delivery of SMART objectives focused on the five key areas:

These are:

• Client care
• Innovation that offers flexibility of accessing legal services
• Facilities Management
• Workforce
• Community Engagement

A robust governance and communication framework will ensure a coherent approach to the Firm’s CSR activities.

Client Care

The Firm is fully regulated by SRA and as such adheres wholly to SRA handbook. Further to our responsibility to be compliant with all SRA Rules and Regulations in dealing with clients and acting in client’s best interest, the Firm has committed to cost transparency beyond that expected by SRA, together with flexibility, that will allow the clients easier access to our services.

Innovation – flexible access to legal services

The Firm implements a wide range of modern technology to ensure that client interaction with the firm is made easier. The Firm offers video/audio conferencing, screen-share solutions etc, which allows the clients to be in contact with their solicitors and give instructions without having to take time off work and managing their business and come to our offices. Further to this, we have use of Regus meeting rooms across London and elsewhere, to ensure that we can meet the clients in person at a more convenient location for them.

Facilities Management

To promote an approach to managing our services and facilities which drives greater efficiency and sustainability into corporate processes.

To establish the expenditure baseline on facilities management and suggest measures to monitor the impact of the CSR approach over a three year period.

Use of modern Practice management systems and SRA approved cloud based storage solutions to reduce number of printers, copiers, faxes etc. to reduce printer/paper costs.

Improve recycling and waste infrastructure, and related education regarding the why, how, where, etc.

Workforce

To promote a health and well-being approach to support the people who work in the Firm and their families.

Offer regular trainings to the staff to enhance their skills and help them take more responsibilities and grow in their career.

Report to staff how their activities affect wider operation of the whole Firm to encourage the sentiment of relevance and belonging.

Offer flexible working models.

To develop an approach to apprenticeships and work experience linked to increasing access to legal practice for young people.

Community Engagement

To promote community engagement for the Firm and contribute to the public’s access to justice, the Firm implements the following:

• 20 minute free conversation with a specialist lawyer in nearly all the matters.
• 5 full hour consultations per month on first come first served basis.
• Developing partnerships with different community centres to offer initial legal support to their clients on pro-bono basis.
• Create a Corporate Volunteering Strategy for the Firm and encourage the staff to participate
• Participating in charitable events meant to raise funds for legal fees, such as Legal Walk etc.

Other Regulatory obligations

The Firm is fully committed to implement all relevant regulatory practices, including, but not limited to  – Money Laundering and Anti-Bribery regulations, as well as being a responsible employer. The Firm has detailed procedures and plans on how to achieve those.