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Corporate Social Responsibility
Who we are
Dutton Gregory has offices throughout Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey & Merseyside and a presence in London. The firm has 24 partners and over 120 other legal, admin and support staff.
Dutton Gregory acts for private individuals and businesses alike. Our mission statement is:
"Our vision is to be the first choice law firm to the SME market and to high net worth individuals in the UK.
We will be the trusted advisor working in partnership with our clients to provide commercial and practical advice in an open and honest manner, whilst at the same time encouraging and supporting our staff to fulfil their ambitions, ensuring we are the employer of choice."
Our People
At Dutton Gregory we realise that our people are our greatest asset, both in terms of growth and in continuity of service to our clients. With this in mind we are committed to providing a clear career structure, development plans and training for all staff. We launched a competency framework across the firm in 2017 which has been designed to help us all perform effectively in our roles to allow us to support the delivery of the firm’s key strategic objectives.
We are keen to develop staff from within the business and have a number of Paralegals who have been promoted from within our secretarial teams. Likewise, a number of our Trainee Solicitors started their careers within the firm as Paralegals.
Dutton Gregory has launched its very own mentoring programme where experienced senior staff share expertise and experience, to help develop specialist key areas of knowledge and boost confidence in those who are earlier in their career. Our internal Trainee Academy also provides support through the application process for, and the duration of training contracts over the course of 9 to 12 months.
Work experience opportunities are offered to children from local educational establishments and from clients of the firm and we run a Government backed apprenticeship scheme, offering young people the opportunity to learn whilst they earn.
Dutton Gregory is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and diversity in employment and recognises that this is essential to ensuring the success and growth of the business. We make every effort to select, recruit, train and promote the best candidates based on suitability for the job; to treat all employees and applicants fairly, regardless of race, sex, marital status, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation or disability; and to ensure that no employee suffers harassment or intimidation.
We aspire to become the employer of choice and we communicate regularly with our staff through Operational Board “open sessions,” departmental meetings, through our Intranet and (new for 2018) via a staff newsletter. There is an open door policy throughout our offices and teams are encouraged to speak openly to their supervisors, departmental heads or members of the Operations Board if they have any ideas or concerns. We also undertake periodic surveys to elicit feedback on topics such as training, staff management, communication and the working environment from our staff.
Once a year we bring the entire firm together for an Annual General Meeting, where we share details of the firm’s performance and reward and recognise those of our staff that have gone the ‘extra mile’ in the provision of services to our clients.
The firm’s Social Committee is made up of a number of staff from each of our offices. The Committee is given a budget each year and they utilise that to organise events and entertainment in each office and also on a firm-wide basis, with the aim of bringing everyone together in a relaxed environment.
The Environment
Everyone at Dutton Gregory recognises the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and is committed to reducing the effects that our business activities have on our environment.
We continually improve our policies and practices to ensure that we comply with all legal and regulatory requirements. Some of the ways in which we have attempted to reduce our impact include:
- Recycling disposable office items such as printer cartridges
- Encouraging staff to ensure office lighting and computers are switched off when they go home
- Actively reducing the quantity of waste produced and encouraging the recycling of waste materials
- Ensuring we use energy saving lighting where possible
- Encouraging our suppliers and community partners to follow the same ethos as we do
Community & Charity
Dutton Gregory supports its staff members who given their time freely to support local communities, from Charity Trustees and School Governors through to Board membership of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Our Charity Committee is made up of representatives from around the firm. We aim to raise as much as possible for local charities during the year through a variety of events, volunteering and fundraising.
Our aim is to take one step further than simply offering donations, we want to engage with our community, learn more, and increase awareness of charitable projects & achievements amongst our established network, and wider society.
In addition we support our staff in their personal fundraising for charities close to their own hearts.
Sponsorship
Our Marketing Department uses sponsorship opportunities as another way of supporting the Community.
Some of our activities recently include:
- Speaking (free of charge) at networking events or seminars being organised by other businesses
- Sponsoring and encouraging women in business through our sponsorship of the Dorset Venus Awards – Small Business category
- Sponsors of the Winchester Business Excellence awards
- Sponsors of the South Coast Property Awards
- Regularly enter teams and sponsor Julia’s House charity golf days
- Sponsors of the Business South ‘Regenerate South’ conference annually – promoting the skills and businesses we have on the south coast
- Regular supporters and attendees at school careers days. One of our partners has given her free time to run mock trials in a local school
- Sponsors of Teddy Rocks festival, raising money for young children with cancer
- We have been involved with the Wave 105 Cash for Kids Awards since their launch.
We are members of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and the Dorset Chamber of Commerce. These organisations work hard to promote their respective locations for the good of all businesses.
Health & Safety at Work
The health and safety of our employees and visitors is of paramount importance to us. It is our policy to monitor, create and improve standards of health and safety which will lead to the avoidance and reduction of risks and ensure that Dutton Gregory complies with all health and safety legislation. Details of the firm’s Health & Safety policies and guidelines can be found in our Office Manual.
Information Security
Dutton Gregory is committed to ensuring the integrity and security of business information, with particular attention given to personal and sensitive data where inappropriate use or inadequate maintenance and safeguarding could have serious repercussions. Our policies and procedures are based on requirements for a secure operating environment, an assessment of the risks that the firm faces and relevant legal and best practice requirements.
"Dutton Gregory is committed to promoting protection of the environment; supporting charities and local communities; promoting equal opportunities; ensuring safe and efficient working practices; and working with suppliers who uphold similar values.
Everything we do takes into account the interests of all our stakeholders including our Partners, employees, clients and our suppliers, as well as the local community and the environment in which we operate. These are the values contained within the Dutton Gregory ‘brand’ and it is important for us to be seen to be operating with the highest standards of integrity, ethics and fairness."
