Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction

This statement constitutes our modern slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 30 March 2025, pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It outlines the steps we have taken to identify and prevent slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chain.

About our business

Boodle Hatfield LLP is a law firm incorporated in England and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (no. 566793). We provide a range of legal services to clients internationally from our offices in London and Oxford. Further information about the firm, its history and the services offered can be found on our website here.

We take the issue of modern slavery seriously and are committed to ensuring that we have fair working practices and uphold the highest ethical standards.

Our people

We are committed to ensuring we follow fair policies and procedures when recruiting partners and staff. As an inclusive employer we ensure that we treat all those working for us, directly or via an agency, fairly.

It is important to us to create a working environment in which all people can excel. We are well known in the market for having an open, friendly and supportive culture that enables our people to thrive.

We ensure all salaries are fair and comparable by undertaking an annual benchmarking process. Salaries are compliant with the London Living Wage and the National Living Wage, and we offer a comprehensive benefits package, and a wellbeing programme designed to support personal wellbeing. We comply with health and safety laws and provide a safe and comfortable environment within which to work.

Supply chain

We use a range of suppliers to support our business. These include larger corporations providing us with professional services such as our bank, insurers, auditors and professional advisers, and suppliers who provide our premises, IT infrastructure and other office equipment. As part of our ESG framework we also strive to work with local businesses and social enterprises. This helps with our carbon reduction targets whilst supporting our local community.

We work with suppliers with good reputations who are committed to acting responsibly. We expect them to uphold the highest professional standards and comply with all laws and regulations. We keep our supplier relationships under review to identify and manage areas of risk.

Risk assessment

Due to the nature of our business, we have assessed that there is a low risk of slavery or human trafficking occurring within the firm. The firm is a regulated professional services firm based in and operating from the UK with no overseas offices and is governed by UK laws and regulations, which include comprehensive labour rights. All partners and staff undergo rigorous screening checks as part of our standard recruitment processes, and we engage with prospective hires directly or via reputable agencies. The firm adheres to employment legislation and SRA Standards and Regulations and follows best practice in professional ethics, recruitment and the promotion of personal wellbeing.

We have reviewed our supply chain to identify, assess and manage modern slavery risks. We have assessed these risks based on the supplier’s industry type, their location and known operating jurisdictions, and their commitment to modern slavery prevention. We work with reputable suppliers who are mostly UK based or otherwise based in jurisdictions with equivalent labour rights. We assess that there is a low risk of modern slavery occurring within the firm’s supply chain, although recognise that there are some higher risk areas which will be more closely monitored.

Training & awareness

We provide mandatory modern slavery training to all partners and staff and the firm has a Modern Slavery Policy in place which provides guidance and procedures for reporting modern slavery concerns. Our Risk and Compliance team oversee compliance with our policies and provide ongoing training and guidance to the firm on regulatory compliance.

Partners and members of staff are required to report any known or suspected breaches of laws or ethical standards. Our whistleblowing policy supports those who wish to raise concerns about any matter, including slavery and human trafficking.

Monitoring & review

We monitor our practices and supply chain to ensure compliance with our commitment to tackle modern slavery. We aim to improve our training and policy materials, monitor the effectiveness of our actions, and to continue to raise awareness of modern slavery issues.

Approval

This statement was approved by the Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer.

Andrea Zavos, Senior Partner
Brian Aris, Chief Operating Officer

April 2025