EHRC 1819-16 Panel of Counsel

Barristers, advocates and solicitor advocates: apply to join the Commission's panel of counsel

The EHRC is now accepting applications for appointment to our new panel of counsel. The panel will be our preferred suppliers of legal services from counsel. Practising barristers and solicitor advocates from across England and Wales, and advocates and solicitor advocates from across Scotland are encouraged to apply.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 1pm 24th January 2019.

Our current panel consists of around 80 counsel and we expect to appoint a larger panel this time. We therefore encourage all suitably qualified counsel to apply, including those who were unsuccessful or did not apply last time. We are seeking counsel with a range of levels of experience, up to and including QC, and we hope that applicants will come forward from as broad a range of backgrounds as possible. The panel will provide advocacy, advisory and drafting expertise across a range of legal specialisms. Those appointed will have a vital role to play in helping the Commission to achieve its ambitious objectives in 2019 and beyond.

Prospective panel members' event

If you are considering applying but need to know more about the Commission and the role of the panel, you might like to come to our event in our London office (with video conference to Cardiff and Manchester offices) on the 9th January from 4.30pm. Commission legal staff will be on hand to explain about our work and the role of the panel, and to answer your questions. You do not have to come to this event to be eligible to apply and will not be disadvantaged if you do not attend. After the event we will share our answers to the questions asked with all prospective applicants via our procurement portal. Please feel free to come along if you might find it helpful to speak to us directly. This invitation is open to all counsel and solicitor-advocates who are in practice. If you plan to join us, please let us know by using the messaging facility on the portal before the 4th January, indicating at which office (London, Manchester or Cardiff) you will attend. Alternatively please email procurementhelpdesk@equalityhumanrights.com We will then send further details.

Exceptional Policy: counsel who are absent from work during the application window

Within the next 18 months, the Commission intends to invite applications to join its panel from Counsel who are absent from work for a minimum of two consecutive weeks during the Commission's current application window (15/12/18 to 24/01/19) for any of the following reasons: maternity; paternity; sickness or disability-related absence; caring responsibilities; sabbatical or other long-term break from work (but not a period of holiday or annual leave of four weeks or less)

Counsel who fail to submit a panel application by the deadline for other reasons, including work commitments will not be eligible to apply under the exceptional policy at a later date.