Responsible business
Responsible business underpins everything we do, from maintaining high standards and an inclusive culture, to environmental sustainability and community collaboration.
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We are recognised as one of the leading responsible law firms.
We have a long-standing commitment to responsible business. Rooted in our culture and values, responsible business attracts top talent, maintains our reputation, and meets stakeholder expectations.
Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we contribute to a fairer, more equitable and environmentally sustainable future, by aiming to set high market standards, foster an inclusive workplace, minimise environmental impacts, and drive community collaboration.
We have been ranked as one of the leading law firms in the Lamp House ESG benchmark of UK, US and Canadian law firms. Through EcoVadis we are rated in the top 15% of organisational participants globally.
Our membership with Business in the Community, and role as signatories of the UN Global Compact, reinforce our commitment. Our Responsible Business Framework reflects our focus areas and ensures alignment with stakeholder priorities.
Burges Salmon aims to be an ambitious, sustainable and inclusive firm where clients, people, and communities flourish, delivering impact through expertise.
Responsible business report
Our annual Responsible Business report includes information on our approach, priorities and progress.
As a firm we have pushed and tested ourselves to see what a responsible business can be. In the report, you can read about mentoring projects opening up access to careers, employment programmes for disabled and neuro-divergent people, and numerous collaborations with clients and other stakeholders across all areas of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).
Read the reportPerformance
When it comes to responsible business, we believe actions speak louder than words, and that transparency is an important part of accountability.
We track objectives and key performance indicators to measure our progress against our strategic objectives, publishing this information annually in our Responsible Business Report.
We monitor and manage performance through our Responsible Business Framework, focusing on marketplace, workplace, environment and community. We use materiality to identify the most relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for our business, and we direct our efforts where we have the greatest impact and can contribute our legal expertise.
To drive continuous improvement, we benchmark our performance through internationally recognised initiatives such as Ecovadis, ensuring we remain accountable and transparent, meeting stakeholder expectations and advancing our responsible business objectives.
Objectives
To work together and with others for a greater collective impact.
To enable wider engagement in wellbeing with a focus on resilience and mental health.
To enable the progression of talent in an inclusive workplace and in the pursuit of social mobility.
To take action for an environmentally sustainable future that positively impacts the community.
Key areas
Environment
EnvironmentDiversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusionCommunity
CommunityWellbeing
WellbeingHow we operate
Integrity and structure
Strong governance ensures we innovate around responsible business, meet regulatory requirements, and operate with fairness and transparency, promoting trust across society.
Our Strategic Board has ultimate ownership of our responsible business strategy. Our Senior Partner chairs the Responsible Business Committee, which directs our approach.
We have partner leads and working groups for each area of responsible business to ensure focus and accountability, also a Responsible Business Team comprised of ESG experts to devise and deliver our programmes.
Accreditations
We hold accreditations in ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 22301 (business continuity).
Supported by our Risk and Best Practice team, we conduct internal audits to mitigate risk and drive improvement.
Our people
Our people adhere to the SRA Principles, Codes of Conduct, and wider professional standards, reinforced through inductions, ongoing training and compliance systems.
Policies, including whistle-blowing and grievance procedures, ensure accountability, and provide channels to address concerns responsibly.
Relevant policies
- Quality Policy
- Business Continuity Policy
- Data Protection Policy
- Information Security Policy
- Procurement Policy
- Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Human Rights Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Community Engagement Policy
- Social Mobility Policy
- Whistle-blowing Policy
Listening
Engaging with stakeholders is integral to how we operate as a responsible business. By listening to our clients, colleagues, suppliers, communities and industry bodies, we ensure transparency, accountability and continuous improvement, while aligning with stakeholder expectations.
Our engagement helps shape operational decisions and strategic direction. Through regular interactions, forums, networks and other events, we provide updates on our progress and gain valuable insights into areas where we can drive positive outcomes. It also gives various associated groups a voice and the opportunity to comment on decisions that may impact them.
We actively participate in networks such as the CBI, Business in the Community, the UN Global Compact UK and the Legal Sustainability Alliance, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
Respect
Respect for human rights is central to our culture, values and role as a responsible business. It builds trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures we operate with integrity across our people, clients, suppliers and communities.
Aligned with the UN Global Compact, UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, we uphold internationally recognised principles.
We are committed to conducting business in the right way. By embedding human rights in our operations and supply chains, we promote ethical practices, meet stakeholder expectations, and contribute to a fair, just and sustainable society.
Review
Our human rights review, informed by the UNGP Reporting Framework, has helped us consider our respect of human rights and identify the ones most salient to our activities and key stakeholders.
These rights include:
- Right to life (safeguarding health, wellbeing and the environment)
- Right to privacy (management of confidential and personal data)
- Right to non-discrimination (equal opportunities and fair treatment for all)
- Right to an adequate standard of living (living wage, fair financial transactions and economic contributions)
- Right to education (no child labour, social mobility, training and development)
Modern slavery
In addition to our five most salient rights, we recognise the âRight to be free from slavery and forced labourâ as a priority. Our Modern Slavery Statement details how we respect this right.
Integrity and structure
Strong governance ensures we innovate around responsible business, meet regulatory requirements, and operate with fairness and transparency, promoting trust across society.
Our Strategic Board has ultimate ownership of our responsible business strategy. Our Senior Partner chairs the Responsible Business Committee, which directs our approach.
We have partner leads and working groups for each area of responsible business to ensure focus and accountability, also a Responsible Business Team comprised of ESG experts to devise and deliver our programmes.
Accreditations
We hold accreditations in ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 22301 (business continuity).
Supported by our Risk and Best Practice team, we conduct internal audits to mitigate risk and drive improvement.
Our people
Our people adhere to the SRA Principles, Codes of Conduct, and wider professional standards, reinforced through inductions, ongoing training and compliance systems.
Policies, including whistle-blowing and grievance procedures, ensure accountability, and provide channels to address concerns responsibly.
Relevant policies
- Quality Policy
- Business Continuity Policy
- Data Protection Policy
- Information Security Policy
- Procurement Policy
- Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Human Rights Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Community Engagement Policy
- Social Mobility Policy
- Whistle-blowing Policy
Listening
Engaging with stakeholders is integral to how we operate as a responsible business. By listening to our clients, colleagues, suppliers, communities and industry bodies, we ensure transparency, accountability and continuous improvement, while aligning with stakeholder expectations.
Our engagement helps shape operational decisions and strategic direction. Through regular interactions, forums, networks and other events, we provide updates on our progress and gain valuable insights into areas where we can drive positive outcomes. It also gives various associated groups a voice and the opportunity to comment on decisions that may impact them.
We actively participate in networks such as the CBI, Business in the Community, the UN Global Compact UK and the Legal Sustainability Alliance, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
Respect
Respect for human rights is central to our culture, values and role as a responsible business. It builds trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures we operate with integrity across our people, clients, suppliers and communities.
Aligned with the UN Global Compact, UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, we uphold internationally recognised principles.
We are committed to conducting business in the right way. By embedding human rights in our operations and supply chains, we promote ethical practices, meet stakeholder expectations, and contribute to a fair, just and sustainable society.
Review
Our human rights review, informed by the UNGP Reporting Framework, has helped us consider our respect of human rights and identify the ones most salient to our activities and key stakeholders.
These rights include:
- Right to life (safeguarding health, wellbeing and the environment)
- Right to privacy (management of confidential and personal data)
- Right to non-discrimination (equal opportunities and fair treatment for all)
- Right to an adequate standard of living (living wage, fair financial transactions and economic contributions)
- Right to education (no child labour, social mobility, training and development)
Modern slavery
In addition to our five most salient rights, we recognise the ‘Right to be free from slavery and forced labour’ as a priority. Our Modern Slavery Statement details how we respect this right.