Corporate Social Responsibility

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Corporate Social Responsibility

At JMW, we proudly uphold our position as a leading law firm by integrating social, environmental, and governance considerations into the way our business operates. Our approach brings together corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, reflecting our commitment to responsible business practices and long-term sustainability. This commitment extends beyond legal excellence to touch the lives of our team members, the professionals we collaborate with, and the communities we serve.

We recognise the positive impact our firm can have and the responsibility we hold as part of the wider business community. In line with our broader corporate responsibility and ESG goals, we are dedicated to embedding socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible behaviours across our core CSR activities. Through thoughtful engagement with our CSR and ESG initiatives, we work to support sustainable development, strengthen our local communities, and contribute to a business model that reflects responsible corporate citizenship.

Our CSR efforts are guided by a commitment to ethical behaviour, transparency in our governance, and a dedication to contributing positively to our local and social economies. Each initiative gives our Partners and employees the opportunity to embody the values that JMW stands for and make a meaningful contribution to the world around us.

JMW Corporate Social Responsibility

What Is Corporate Social Responsibility?

At JMW, we view corporate social responsibility as an essential part of our identity and business strategy. CSR represents the way we integrate social and environmental concerns into our business operations and decision-making. Alongside this, ESG represents the framework we use to guide our environmental commitments, support our people and communities, and maintain strong governance across all areas of the firm.

Our socially responsible business practices reflect our dedication to practising law responsibly and supporting the communities where we work. We believe that long-term success is closely linked to the wellbeing of our employees, clients, and the wider community. Our commitments in this area are designed to create sustainable value, reduce our environmental impact, and make a positive contribution to the local areas in which we operate.

We prioritise initiatives that:

  • Give back to the community through charitable fundraising.
  • Improve the environmental sustainability of our operations and our community.
  • Support a workplace culture that values inclusion, diversity, and employee wellbeing.
  • Promote ethical behaviour and fair treatment of all stakeholders, supported by strong governance and responsible business practices.

Through our combined CSR and ESG efforts, JMW upholds its ethical obligations and demonstrates responsible corporate conduct, helping to set a positive example within the legal sector and beyond.

Our Key CSR Initiatives and Activity Areas

At JMW, our CSR and ESG activities cover several key areas that align with our vision for strengthening our community, improving our environmental performance, and promoting a responsible business model.

Charity Work

Charitable activity is deeply ingrained in our culture at JMW. Our charitable commitments play a central role in supporting local communities, sponsoring local events, and contributing to social welfare. Through donations, fundraising, and initiatives that respond to social and environmental concerns, we demonstrate our philanthropic responsibility and our dedication to supporting underserved communities. Our employees regularly take part in a wide range of charitable activities designed to harness the collective energy of our team and strengthen our contribution to society.

Community

As part of our commitment to community wellbeing, all employees can take two days of paid leave each year to engage in voluntary or charitable work. This supports social responsibility programmes in our local area and reinforces our role in contributing to social and environmental impact. By taking part in these activities, our employees build stronger community ties, promote shared purpose, and uphold the values at the heart of JMW.

Environmental

Environmental responsibility is a core part of our CSR and ESG strategy. We continue to adopt sustainable practices across our business, including reducing waste, managing energy consumption, and promoting environmental stewardship. Our focus on sustainability includes initiatives to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, encourage responsible resource use, and introduce practices that support long-term environmental benefits. We are committed to ongoing evaluation of our environmental performance to keep our efforts aligned with evolving environmental challenges and sustainable business practices.

Each of these areas forms a key part of our corporate responsibility and demonstrates how JMW contributes to positive social and environmental impact. For detailed information on our projects and achievements, you can explore the subpages linked above.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

JMW is committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusivity in every part of our work. We want all colleagues to benefit from a workplace where they feel able to contribute fully. By promoting an internal culture that values individual differences and recognises that people bring varied experiences and perspectives to the firm, we strengthen the way we work together and support our wider corporate social responsibility and ESG commitments.

We strive to make sure that our colleagues, and the people we interact with during the course of business, understand and comply with our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Policy. These principles form an essential part of our responsible business practices and reflect our approach to good governance within our broader CSR and ESG activity.

From time to time, we collect and analyse data to support this. Our latest firm-wide survey was completed in June 2025, and a summary of the results is shown below:

  • 63% of respondents were female.
  • 20% of respondents have attained partnership or managerial status.
  • 9.5% of respondents were aged between 16 and 24, and 9% were aged 55 and above.
  • 7.5% of respondents considered themselves to have a disability.
  • 7% of respondents felt limited in the work that they do as a result of their disabilities or health conditions.
  • 76% of respondents attended UK state schools and 12.5% attended independent schools. The remaining 11.5% attended educational establishments outside of the UK, or did not advise.
  • 57.5% of respondents’ parents were not university graduates.
  • 22.5% of respondents were primary carers for children under the age of 18.
  • 7.5% of respondents were unpaid carers for someone with long-term physical or mental ill health caused by disability or age.
  • 14% of respondents were of Black, Asian or another ethnic minority background.

Our ED&I commitments include:

  • Encouraging equity, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace as part of good practice and sound business sense.
  • Providing opportunities for training, development and career progression by helping everyone make the most of their talents and realise their full potential.
  • Making fair and objective decisions concerning people.
  • Promoting dignity and respect, and recognising the individual differences and contributions of all staff.
  • Maintaining a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination.
  • Investigating seriously any complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation or unlawful discrimination (whether made by employees, partners, consultants/self-employed contractors, casual workers, volunteers, those undertaking work experience, clients, members of the public or others) and invoking the JMW disciplinary procedure as necessary.

These commitments reflect our wider approach to responsible business conduct and our longstanding focus on ethical behaviour, fair treatment and social responsibility as part of our CSR and ESG framework.

Gender Pay Gap Report

At JMW, we are committed to gender equality in our workplace. In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017, we are pleased to be able to publish our Gender Pay Gap Report each year. This forms part of our approach to transparency, good corporate governance and responsible business practice.

At JMW, we remain committed to equality and diversity in our workplace. Please browse our reports from previous years:

Our CSR Values

At JMW, our CSR strategy is underpinned by a set of core values that guide our actions and initiatives. These values are integral to the way we conduct business, support good governance and work with our stakeholders. They also reflect our broader commitment to responsible business practices, ESG principles and positive social and environmental impact. Together, they help us meet the expectations of our clients, employees and the wider community.

Integrity

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity in all our business dealings. This includes meeting legal obligations, acting ethically and considering the social and environmental consequences of the way our business operates. We take a transparent approach to our CSR and ESG activities by openly sharing our goals, processes and outcomes. This helps us strengthen trust with our employees, clients and the communities we serve.

Community

Community lies at the heart of our CSR and ESG efforts. We work to make a positive contribution to the local communities where we operate through engagement, support and long-standing involvement in social responsibility programmes. Through charitable work, volunteering and local development initiatives, our aim is to contribute meaningfully to social welfare and community wellbeing. These activities reflect our commitment to corporate citizenship and our role within the local social economy.

Sustainability

Environmental responsibility forms a key part of our CSR values and ESG focus. We are committed to sustainable practices that minimise our environmental impact and support responsible use of natural resources. This commitment includes reducing our carbon footprint, improving recycling processes, supporting sustainable transport options and taking steps to reduce energy consumption. We continue to review and develop our environmental strategies in response to environmental challenges and evolving sustainability standards.

Inclusivity

We believe in creating an inclusive environment where diversity is recognised and everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Our work in equity, diversity and inclusion supports ethical responsibility and reflects the governance standards that underpin our wider CSR and ESG framework. We want all employees to feel valued, supported and able to progress within the firm, with fair treatment forming the foundation of our approach.

Excellence

We pursue excellence in everything we do, from delivering legal services to developing our CSR and ESG initiatives. By setting high standards, reviewing our performance and seeking ways to improve our CSR practices, we aim to contribute positively to our sector and demonstrate responsible business leadership. This approach reflects our belief that responsible operations, strong governance and ethical behaviour support long-term value for our people and our community.

These values are not just ideals, but are actively practised at every level of our organisation. They shape our decisions, our policies and our corporate social responsibility initiatives, and drive our long-term approach to sustainable development and ethical behaviour at every level of the firm.

Chris Sutton

A Word from Our Managing Partner

At JMW, we recognise the profound impact our firm can have as a socially responsible company, and our commitment to CSR is central to who we are. 

Every member of our team, from Partners to new recruits, actively contributes to our CSR goals. Together, we are improving our efforts better to serve our clients, our community and the environment.

Chris Sutton, Managing Partner, JMW Solicitors

Find Out More

If you would like to learn more about JMW, our approach to responsible business practices and the standards we uphold across the firm, visit our About Us page to read more about our history, our culture and the way the firm operates. You can also view our Awards, Accreditations and Certifications, which highlight the external recognition we have received across a range of professional and industry bodies.

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