Corporate Social Responsibility

Our aim is to ensure that The Jonathan Lea Network is regarded both internally and externally as a good corporate citizen and a positive and beneficial force through an integrated and deeply embedded programme of Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”).

Our approach to CSR represents a constantly evolving commitment to developing programmes and is focused on four core areas:

• Clients, Customers and Suppliers
• Community
• Environment
• Workplace and Diversity

Clients, Customers and Suppliers

As part of our CSR strategy, we strive to balance the interests of all our stakeholders in every aspect of our business from clients, employees, customers and suppliers through to the local community we serve and the relevant regulatory bodies which govern our day-today activities.

All our stakeholders are key to the continuing success of our business and play a significant role in helping the firm provide the very highest standards of client service and advice.

Our CSR policy builds on the values we hold as a firm for the benefit of all our stakeholders and guides us in making a positive and valuable contribution to the local communities in which we operate.

Our everyday dealings with clients, suppliers and other third parties such as contractors and consultants are closely aligned to our commitment to CSR and based on principles of mutual respect and fairness. Wherever possible, we strive to ensure that the firm:

• reduces to a minimum our consumption of goods, services and resources such as paper and energy
• purchases from sustainable sources wherever we can
• works alongside clients, suppliers and other third parties with a compatible approach and commitment to CSR
• takes relevant environmental factors into consideration when assessing alternative supplier proposals

Today our approach and commitment to CSR impacts on every part of our business and all those who come into contact with us whether they be clients, suppliers, customers or other third party organisations.

Community

As a law firm, we encourage all our people to actively engage in local community-based programmes and initiatives as part of our wider aim to build on the values we hold as a firm and to have a positive and beneficial impact on the communities in which we work.

We take an active role in local business and community partnerships, and we participate in charitable activities, some for personal reasons and others to support a charity linked to a client.

Some of the charities we have supported are:

–        The Chestnut Tree House

–        Room to Read

–        St Peter and St James’ Hospice

–        Gloves & Glory Uganda Boxing Foundation

We recently supported our local schools by providing children with a wealth of optimistic and enlightening new books. We provided children in the community with a selection of interesting kids titles that are full of positive ideas and aim to create an empowering and positive environment.

We also support our clients, local businesses and other causes by way of placing advertisements in their event and additional publications.

Environment

We strive to achieve our objective of reducing our environmental impact through our decision making, our working processes, the products we use and the organisational decisions we make and to educate our staff and suppliers, and where possible our clients, to assist us in achieving this goal.

We are committed to reducing the adverse environmental impact of our business activities and reducing the size of our carbon footprint.

We recycle toners and their boxes, electronic equipment, paper and 80% of our general waste.

Wherever possible our office supplies are made from recycled materials and responsible forestry.

Workplace and Diversity

We are committed to providing all of our people with worthwhile and satisfying employment in a forward looking and successful business. We readily support the Government’s apprenticeship scheme.

We are committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality and diversity in our policies, practices and procedures and in those areas in which we have influence. This applies to our professional dealings with staff and Partners, other solicitors, barristers, Clients and third parties.