Introduction
This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking statement relates to the actions and activities taken by Sharpe Pritchard LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (registered number: OC378650) (“the Firm”) during the financial year 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The Firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Although our Firm is not legally required to make a statement under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 as it operates below the statutory turnover threshold, we have chosen to publish this statement voluntarily as part of its commitment to ethical practice, transparency and public-sector best practice.
This statement also reflects alignment with internationally recognised standards for compliance, risk management and responsible business conduct, including ISO frameworks relating to compliance management, governance, and sustainable procurement.
Our commitment
This statement sets out our commitment to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our business activities and supply chains, and the steps we take to identify, access, mitigate and monitor such risks.
Modern slavery is a crime and a gross violation of fundamental human rights. It can take various forms such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, exploiting an individual’s liberty for personal or commercial gain. These practices undermine the dignity and autonomy of victims, often subjecting them to physical and psychological abuse, deprivation of basic necessities, and denial of freedom. As an organisation, we are committed to identifying, preventing, and addressing any risks of modern slavery within our operations and supply chains, and to promoting ethical standards that safeguard the rights and wellbeing of all individuals.
We are committed to:
- Identifying and addressing modern slavery risks in our supply chains
- Requiring transparency in our supply chains and ensuring accountability through governance and reporting structures
- Promoting a speak-up culture and protecting whistleblowers
- Continuously improving our approach to preventing modern slavery risks in line with evolving best practice and ISO-aligned standards
Organisation Structure and Supply Chains
The Firm is a London-based law firm with primarily UK-focused operations. Our supply chains are limited in scope and relate mainly to:
- Professional services (including barristers and experts)
- Business support services (including document production)
- Office consumables
- Food and drink suppliers
- IT, telecommunications and technology suppliers
- Facilities management
- HR, recruitment, and employee benefit providers
Policies and governance
We maintain a suite of policies supporting the identification and mitigation of modern slavery risks including:
- Modern Slavery Policy
- Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Disciplinary Policy
- Supplier Code of Conduct (where applicable)
- Procurement and Supplier Due Diligence Procedures
These policies are reviewed annually, approved by senior management, and made available to all staff via the Office Procedures Manual.
Due Diligence and Risk Management
The Firm considers the risk of modern slavery occurring within its direct legal service provision to be low, reflecting:
- the regulated nature of the practice;
- its UK‑based operations and workforce; and
- strong recruitment and employment controls.
We recognise, however, that indirect risks may arise through certain elements of its supply chain, particularly where services are labour‑intensive. We therefore adopt a risk‑based and proportionate approach consistent with public‑sector expectations and ISO-aligned compliance. This includes:
- Conducting proportionate due diligence on new suppliers, including risk screening based on sector and geography
- Requiring suppliers to confirm compliance with modern slavery legislation and to provide relevant statements where applicable
- Seeking contractual assurances regarding ethical labour practices
- Undertaking periodic reviews of existing suppliers, with enhanced review for higher-risk categories
- Addressing any concerns identified through engagement with suppliers and maintaining the right to take appropriate action (including to terminate relationships) where serious breaches are identified
- Responding accurately and transparently to modern slavery questionnaires issued by public-sector clients
- Maintaining records to support supply chain transparency
We will not engage with any organisation where we have actual knowledge of modern slavery offences unless we are satisfied that appropriate remediation and corrective actions have been implemented.
The Firm seeks to work with suppliers that share its commitment to responsible and ethical business practices.
We also expect suppliers to:
- Pay at least the National Living Wage (and London Living Wage where applicable)
- Apply standards equivalent to ours on Modern Slavery within their own supply chains
Key Performance Indicators and Effectiveness
To measure the effectiveness of our approach, we monitor:
- Completion rates of supplier due diligence and reviews
- Number and nature of concerns raised through whistleblowing or other channels
- Outcomes of supplier assessments and audits
- Training completion rates among relevant staff
We review these indicators annually to identify trends, gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Training and Awareness
We provide targeted training tall partners and staff to ensure a clear understanding of modern slavery risks and appropriate responses.
Training is proportionate to role and includes:
- Identifying indicators of modern slavery
- Understanding legal and ethical obligations
- Reporting concerns and escalation procedures
We are committed to maintaining awareness across the Firm and embedding a culture of responsibility and vigilance.
Reporting
Concerns relating to modern slavery or human trafficking can be raised through the Firm’s whistleblowing arrangements, management channels or confidential reporting mechanisms. Reports are investigated promptly and dealt with proportionately and responsibly.
Governance and Approval
Responsibility for this statement and the Firm’s modern slavery framework rests with senior management. The Firm is committed to ongoing review and continuous improvement of its policies, procedures and controls in line with emerging risks, best practice, public sector expectations and regulatory standards.
Signed for and on behalf of Sharpe Pritchard LLP:
Managing Partner
Member, Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Dated May 2026