Equality and Diversity

Simpkins and Co places great value on the unique and varied talents of our people and we understand that meaningful diversity within the Firm contributes directly to excellence in client service. Therefore we seek to integrate diversity into all our activities and foster an inclusive culture. We believe recruiting and retaining diverse talent achieves this, understanding and delivering the needs of our diverse clients, and supporting the diverse community that we serve. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in the work place. This means that all job applicants, employees and partners will receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability. We ensure that people have the opportunity to join the Firm and to develop their full potential regardless of their background. We acknowledge that increasingly people have to balance their career aspirations and work responsibilities with a wide range of domestic issues, such as caring for children, or elderly or infirm relatives. We therefore support applications for flexible working hours where it is practicable to do so. We are also committed to not discriminating in the way we provide our services or use service providers.

Simpkins and Co is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. This means that all job applicants, employees and partners will receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability. The Firm will take steps to ensure that job applications are attracted from as wide a group as possible and will ensure that there are equal opportunities for applicants in all stages of the recruitment process. Promotions within the Firm are made without regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability and are based solely on merit.

The Firm is generally free to decide whether to accept instructions from any particular client, but any refusal to act will not be based upon the race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability of the prospective client.

Experts will be instructed on the basis of their skills, experience and ability and in accordance with the Firm's Expert Register. The Firm will not, on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability, avoid instructing an expert. In the event of a client requesting that an expert be instructed in circumstances that could be discriminatory, the Firm will endeavour to persuade the client to modify instructions to avoid any potential discrimination. Should the client refuse to modify such instructions, the Firm may cease to act.

Bullying and harassment in any form will not be allowed or condoned.

Simpkins and Co will deal with all persons with the same attention, courtesy and consideration regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability.

The Firm will treat seriously and will take action where appropriate concerning all complaints of breaches of this policy made by members of the Firm, Clients, Barristers or other third parties. All complaints will be investigated in accordance with the Firm’s grievance procedure, disciplinary and/or complaints procedures and the complainant will be informed of the outcome.

Our Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy will be monitored periodically by the Firm to judge its effectiveness. Ultimate responsibility for implementing the policy will rest with the Partners of the Firm. The Firm has appointed the Principal Partner, Mr Steven David Simpkins, to be responsible for the operation of the policy. All members of the Firm are expected to pay regard to the provisions of this policy and are responsible for ensuring compliance with it when undertaking their jobs or representing the firm. Any breach of the policy by members of the Firm will result in disciplinary action, including termination of services where appropriate.

This policy will be monitored and reviewed in a manner proportionate to the size and nature of the Firm on a regular basis.

This policy is not part of any contract of employment or partnership agreement and may be changed at any time.

Resolving Complaints

We are committed to providing a high-quality legal service to all our clients. When something goes wrong, we need you to tell us about it. This will help us to improve our standards.
If you have a complaint, please contact us with the details.

What will happen next?
We will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of your complaint within three days of receiving it, enclosing a copy of this procedure.
We will then investigate your complaint. This will normally involve passing your complaint to our client care partner, Mr Steven Simpkins, who will review your matter file and speak to the member of staff who acted for you.
Mr Steven Simpkins will then invite you to a meeting to discuss and hopefully resolve your complaint. He will do this within 14 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter.
Within three days of the meeting, Mr Steven Simpkins will write to you to confirm what took place and any solutions he has agreed with you.
If you do not want a meeting or it is not possible, Mr Steven Simpkins will send you a detailed written reply to your complaint, including his suggestions for resolving the matter, within 21 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter.
At this stage, if you are still not satisfied, you should contact us again and we will arrange for another partner, Cassandra Simpkins or someone unconnected with the matter at the firm, to review the decision or appoint an appropriate alternative such as another local solicitor or mediator to review the decision.
We will write to you within 14 days of receiving your request for a review, confirming our final position on your complaint and explaining our reasons.

If you are still not satisfied, you can contact:
Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6806 Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ

Any complaint to the Legal Ombudsman must usually be made within six months of the date of our final written response on your complaint but for further information, you should contact the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333 or at enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk.

If we have to change any of the timescales above, we will let you know and explain why.

Professional Indemnity Insurance Information

Policy Number: 11SOL3384-39936-11365A11
Insurer: Alpha Insurance A/S
Period of Insurance: 1 October 2011 - 30 September 2012
Limit of Claim: £3,000.00 any one claim

Legal advice

This website is produced by Simpkins and Co. Nothing on this website should be taken as legal advice. If you are looking for legal advice then please contact the office of Simpkins and Co on 01425 275555.