BTO Solicitors LLP is a leading Scottish legal firm with a distinctive, progressive, and high-performing culture. We take pride in fostering a positive and supportive environment, striving to be a firm that is both exceptional to work for and work with.
We are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, honesty and integrity. Our conduct is guided by strict adherence to all applicable laws, including the professional obligations and rules set out by the Law Society of Scotland.
Through our dedication to excellence, we lead by example, reflecting our core values of Bravery, Positivity, Supportiveness, and Insightfulness. This Code of Conduct sets out our commitments to ensuring ethical, responsible, and inclusive practices in all areas of our work.
Our Commitment to Clients and the Legal Profession
We are dedicated to building trust and fostering excellence in our relationships with clients and the wider legal sector by:
- Upholding Confidentiality: Safeguarding the confidentiality of all client information through robust internal controls and procedures, recognising the paramount importance of trust in our profession.
- Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Acting in full compliance with the Law Society of Scotland’s rules and guidance on conflicts of interest, and proactively managing situations to ensure impartiality and integrity.
- Complying with Legal Standards:
- Combatting money laundering and terrorist financing through robust client due diligence, risk assessments and ongoing monitoring.
- Ensuring strict adherence to anti-bribery policies and combatting corruption.
- Avoiding facilitation of criminal conduct, including fraud or tax evasion, and complying with all relevant laws.
- Ensuring our partners and staff understand and adhere to their obligations and restrictions regarding share dealing.
Our Commitment to Colleagues
We aim to create a positive, inclusive, and empowering workplace for all our colleagues by:
- Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: Creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included, regardless of their background.
- Providing Fair Opportunities: Providing fair access to opportunities, resources, and professional development for all staff.
- Preventing Discrimination and Harassment: Maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, and unlawful discrimination, upholding the principles of the Equality Act 2010.
- Celebrating Individual Strengths: Recognising and valuing differences while balancing the rights and needs of colleagues with diverse characteristics.
- Encouraging Belonging: Considering the diversity of our workforce in all decision-making processes, ensuring every individual feels supported to thrive and collaborate.
- Providing Fair Reward: Continuing our commitment to fair pay and conditions, exemplified by our status as an accredited Living Wage employer.
- Supporting Social Mobility: Engaging with the wider community to promote social mobility and widen access to opportunities within the legal sector.
Our Commitment to Ethical and Responsible Practices
We are committed to operating responsibly and sustainably by:
- Preventing Modern Slavery: Ensuring that our operations, and those of our suppliers, are free from modern slavery and human trafficking, in compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
- Protecting the Environment: Acting responsibly to minimise our environmental impact and complying with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement
We are committed to maintaining and building upon our high standards by:
- Enhancing Training and Development: Providing ongoing training and development opportunities for our staff to equip them with the skills and knowledge to uphold our values.
- Regularly Reviewing Policies: Continuously reviewing and updating our policies and practices so that they reflect the latest legal, ethical, and professional standards.
- Encouraging Open Dialogue: Actively listening to feedback from our colleagues, clients, and partners to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
Our Expectations of Business Partners and Suppliers
We hold our business partners and suppliers to the same high standards of professionalism, ethics, and integrity. We expect them to share our commitment to responsible business practices, including preventing modern slavery, promoting fair treatment of employees, and upholding environmental sustainability.