This statement is made on behalf of Michelmores LLP (the Firm) pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act) and constitutes the Firm’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending April 2025.
The Firm is committed to preventing acts of modern slavery and human trafficking from occurring within our business and, so far as reasonably possible, within our supply chains. This statement sets out the steps that the Firm has taken, and intends to take, to mitigate the risk of such acts occurring.
Michelmores LLP is a limited liability partnership providing a range of legal services to individuals and businesses. The Firm is registered in England and Wales (registered number OC326242) and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (authorisation number 463401). We have offices in London, Exeter, Bristol, Cheltenham and Sidmouth, with our head office located in Exeter. The Firm employs approximately 570 lawyers and support staff and works with a range of external suppliers to support the Firm’s business.
In delivering its legal services, Michelmores works with a range of third-party suppliers, including professional services, information and communications technology, premises and workplace services, facilities and building maintenance, and catering and hospitality services. The Firm recognises that risks relating to modern slavery and human trafficking can arise within supply chains and is committed to acting responsibly and ethically in its business relationships.
All suppliers are expected to take a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking and to comply with applicable laws, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Firm does not knowingly engage suppliers that are involved in modern slavery or human trafficking.
The Firm continues to strengthen its approach to managing supply chain risk by reviewing supplier onboarding processes and applying additional due diligence for higher value contracts and suppliers identified as higher risk. Where a supplier’s approach to compliance is not considered adequate, the Firm will review the relationship as part of its ongoing risk management processes.
The Firm will investigate any concerns or allegations of modern slavery or human trafficking within its operations or supply chain and will take appropriate steps where issues are identified.
The Firm recognises that risks relating to modern slavery and human trafficking may also arise in connection with the clients and matters it undertakes. The Firm has client and matter onboarding processes in place to help identify issues of concern. Our Business Intake team conducts media and other relevant screenings for adverse reports when reviewing new and existing clients and when assessing new instructions.
Where a client or matter gives rise to potential concerns, these are referred for further consideration in line with the Firm’s established risk management and governance procedures. The Firm is committed to identifying, assessing and responding appropriately to modern slavery and human trafficking risks as part of its wider approach to responsible business and compliance.
The Firm provides training to support awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking risks across its business. New joiners receive training designed to build awareness of modern slavery and to explain how concerns can be raised. Targeted training is provided on an ongoing basis to help staff recognise the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking within the Firm’s operations and supply chains and to support the identification of potential areas of concern.
The Firm has a range of policies in place that support its commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking and to promoting responsible and ethical business practices. These include the Firm’s Anti-Slavery Policy, Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy, Safeguarding and Vulnerable People Policy, Domestic Violence Policy, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Respect at Work Policy, Gift Policy and Whistleblowing Policy.
The Firm’s Anti-Slavery Policy is published and made available to all staff. The Governance & Risk team keeps relevant policies under regular review and works with colleagues across the Firm to support compliance and to provide guidance on any concerns or potential breaches.
The Firm’s Whistleblowing Policy encourages colleagues to raise concerns, including in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking, in a safe and confidential manner.
The Firm is committed to fair access to all sections of society and to fostering an inclusive working environment. The Firm is ranked 57th in the Top 75 Employers in the Social Mobility Employer Index.
The Firm keeps its policies and processes relating to modern slavery and human trafficking under regular review. During the last financial year, no incidents of modern slavery or human trafficking were reported by staff or suppliers. Over the same period, the Firm strengthened its contractual processes by introducing a more risk-based approach and continued to ensure that decision making on new project proposals includes consideration of its Responsible Business initiatives.
In the current financial year, the Firm intends to build on this risk-based approach by continuing to develop its procurement processes and by further improving its contractual arrangements. While the Firm considers the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking within its directly employed workforce to be low and takes steps to mitigate risks within its supply chain, it recognises that modern slavery remains a significant and evolving issue and remains committed to ongoing improvement in this area.
This statement was prepared by our Governance & Risk team and approved by the Governance & Risk Committee.
Tim Richards, Managing Partner, Michelmores LLP
January 2026
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