Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

At HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors, we deliver legal services for businesses, families and individuals. We’ve been serving the Hertfordshire community for centuries, tracing our roots back as far as 1591.

From our roots in the 16th century to our modern, client-focused approach, HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors has a rich heritage and a clear vision to provide exceptional legal services to our clients and communities.

Our expertise spans across various areas, including company and commercial law, commercial property law, conveyancing, family law, litigation, Will writing, trusts, lasting powers of attorney, and probate. Whether clients require assistance with business-related matters, property transactions, family issues, or estate planning, our experienced solicitors will provide professional support and tailored advice.

Learn more about who we are today here. 

Corporate Responsibility – Mission and Principles

HRJ Foreman Laws is committed to responsible and ethical business practices across all operations.  We will provide professional legal services to our clients and maintain a successful law firm that supports its employees.  We will also actively seek to reduce the impact we have on the environment while being proactive within the communities where we operate.

We are committed to: 

• compliance in every aspect of our business.
• having a positive influence within the communities in which we operate.
• attracting, retaining and developing our employees.
• undertaking responsible business practices with our clients and suppliers.
• minimising our impact on the environment and promoting responsible environmental practices.
• promoting equality of opportunity and diversity throughout the business operations.

Our people

Behind our long legacy and our commitment to providing the best legal advice for our clients, are the dedicated employees of HRJ Foreman Laws. Our team is more than just a collection of legal experts. We are individuals passionate about client success and grounded in our shared values.

Employee retention is important, and we are fortunate to have several employees who have been with the firm for 25 years or more.  We value their experience and are honoured that they have chosen to dedicate their career to the firm.

The ‘be the best’ attitude and hard work of our people sustains our culture of commitment to our customers.  We aim to:

• Attract and retain the best people for the job.
• Provide the appropriate training and development for our people to help them reach their full potential.
• Provide a safe and healthy working environment.
• Give autonomy to allow our people to best achieve our business objectives.
• Provide clear and regular communications to ensure that all employees feel a part of the company and understand and share our corporate values.
• Provide equal opportunities for all throughout the company.

Employee survey

In January 2025 we conducted an employee engagement survey.  More than half of employees at the firm responded. Overall satisfaction levels were high, with most respondents reporting they were “extremely satisfied.” Feedback across key areas – career development, work relationships, well-being, and communication was overwhelmingly positive. Respondents felt fulfilled, supported by colleagues and department heads, and confident in the firm’s inclusivity and harassment prevention measures. Communication was seen as open and constructive, and employees expressed motivation and a desire to remain with the firm.

A suggestion to bring back an employee suggestion box was fulfilled with the introduction of a digital space for employees to share ideas and feedback, either anonymously or by name.

Diversity and inclusion

HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors promotes a fair and inclusive workplace where everyone can fulfil their potential. We will ensure everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources and feels valued and accepted.

Our recruitment and promotion processes are fair and open to all. Vacancies filled, and promotions appointed within the firm, are based on experience and ability and are compliant with the law.

We also provide regular opportunities for all staff to provide feedback (during team meetings and annual reviews) so that we can celebrate those who are doing a great job and listen and act upon any areas of concern raised.

Our firm reflects a broad spectrum of ages, showing a multi-generational workforce:

We have a strong representation of women across all roles:

The full results of our annual diversity survey are published on our website – https://hrjforemanlaws.co.uk/info/diversity/

Wellbeing resources for employees

We offer a range of resources to encourage employees to maintain good mental and physical health.  For example:

• Simply Health cover to encourage more access to health benefits, including mental health support, opticians and dentistry. This year we extended the cover to include the children (up to the age of 24) of our employees.
• Employees also have access to wellbeing videos and webinars on Perkbox.
• Compressed working hours to those who are studying.
• Extra support for staff who are undergoing additional training such as the SQE / STEP by offering days away from the office for study leave, paying for course materials and the cost of the exams.
• Remote working support, when employees need to work from home.
• Encouraging team building days on an annual basis.

In addition, our fee earners earn a bonus on top of their salary when they meet their fee earning targets.

Governance

The company is committed to effective corporate governance and a positive management culture.

The Partners remain close to the daily business operations by conducting their own fee earning activities.

We also have a ‘non-fee earning’ partner to further promote and focus on effective business governance and compliance.  This in turn ensures our fee earning partners can focus on what they do best – serving clients and supporting their team members.

Should a client wish to raise a concern or a complaint we provide a clear path for them to voice their concerns.  This is published on our website https://www.hrjforemanlaws.co.uk/info/complaints-procedure/

Ethical conduct: Compliance with laws and regulations, risk management

As a responsible legal practice, we are committed to reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring all necessary checks to prevent money laundering are stringently adhered to.

At HRJ Foreman Laws, compliance is not merely a box ticking exercise.  We are committed to ensuring strong ethical standards, protecting the interests of our clients, and running a secure and safe business.

Actions taken:

• Implementing Thirdfort Ultra-secure ID and AML checks. Thirdfort acts as a safeguard against fraud and keeps client details safe with government-grade technology and encrypted data.
• Using Law Connect (which is part of Leap, our case management software) as a safe alternative for document sharing rather than just email. In addition to reducing the risk of data breaches and fraud, it is also contributing to the reduction of paper consumption and printing.
• Successfully passing the Cyber Essentials assessment. This shows that the firm has taken the necessary steps to reduce the risk of serious data and financial loss, including intellectual property theft. The certification process outlines the precautions that should be taken to protect businesses against a wide variety of the most common cyber-attacks.
• Appointed a data protection office to ensure our business data is safe and secure.

Best practice accreditations

We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and are committed to gaining and maintaining best practice accreditations for our firm and our legal services.

These include accreditations from:

• Lexcel – the Law Society’s quality mark for excellence in legal practice management and excellence in client care.
• The Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS)
• ALEP (Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners)
• Resolution – family law group
• STEP – for Trust and Estate Practitioners
• The Equity Release Council
• The Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation, a recognised quality standard for family law practitioners.

We work also work with Certainty, the National Will Register.

Environmental Responsibility

HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors is committed to reducing its impact on the environment wherever possible.

We are continually considering new ways to reduce overall environmental impacts within our business practices.  Whilst we are not yet specifically bound by ESG legislation, we are aware that the landscape is changing quickly with the introduction of the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

The legal industry has traditionally been a document heavy business.  To support the reduction of paper usage, we are bringing into practice more digital processes to store and share documents and court bundles. Many of our fee earners across the firm are already working in a paper-free manner

Examples of actions already being taken:

• Disposing of toxic waste safely.
• Disposing of redundant computers in an environmentally friendly manner. (example)
• Promoting energy efficiency and encouraging staff to reduce CO2 emissions by turning off electrical equipment and lighting when not in use. Also reduce printing and restrict only to when it is needed.
• Using photocopiers and printers with inbuilt energy saving devices.
• Including environmental considerations in our purchasing and procurement processes.
• Converting File Review Forms / Appraisal forms / Risk Assessment forms to digital form to be completed and saved to Leap (and not printed).
• Opening digital files on Leap and digitising paper documents.
• Using Thirdfort to ensure no printing / copying of ID for clients.
• Investment in secure cloud-based software allows us to safely enable digital signing (via DocuSign). This in turn further reduces our paper, ink and toner consumption.
• Reduced the number of hardware devices in the office which requires less office space and creates lower levels of emissions.
• Invested in a cloud-based case management system (Leap) that provides more efficient ways of working and reduces paper consumption.
• Recycling all printer cartridges, paper, cans, plastic bottles, cardboards, magazines and newspapers.
• Introduction of low energy light bulbs.
• Shredding and recycling of confidential wastepaper by a local company.

Green office initiatives

Employee involvement is crucial to the successful reduction of our environmental footprint.

We welcome suggestions and comments from all employees.  We have created a working group, made up of employees from all departments in the firm, who meet regularly to discuss ways to improve our existing policies and to continually monitor the environmental impact on our actions.

Community Involvement

HRJ Foreman Laws is committed to having a positive impact within the communities in which we operate.

We are committed to:

• Providing a first-class business service and creating employment opportunities in the local areas where we operate.
• Taking our broader responsibilities very seriously, both through charitable donations and through creative and innovative local engagement.
• Supporting our community involvement by sponsoring local sports clubs and teams.
• Encouraging employees to become involved with local organisations and initiatives
• Taking our environmental responsibilities seriously and be aware of the impacts of our operations on the local community.
• Opening communications with the communities in which we operate and valuing the community as a key stakeholder in our company.
• Raising awareness and educating our clients about important legal issues through our website and social media channels.

HRJ Foreman Laws is involved in many local and national charitable fund-raising activities.  We are long-standing supporters of numerous local sports clubs, including Hitchin Rugby Club, Hitchin Belles, Letchworth Garden City Golf Club, Letchworth Garden City Cricket Club, Welwyn Garden City Rugby, Hertford Rugby, and St Albans City Youth Football Club. We are also long-standing supporters of the Welwyn 10K, an event that annually fundraises for local charities.

We also support:

• Garden House Hospice and Isabel Hospice Will Week
• Cancer Research Free Wills Service
• Welwyn 10K

Additional community activities over the last 12 months

Over the past year, HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors has reinforced its commitment to supporting and enriching our local communities through a diverse range of activities and initiatives.

Our firm and employees actively supported several vital charities, making a tangible difference:

• East & North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity – We provided active support, including employee donations of Easter gifts and Christmas toys for the Lister Hospital children’s ward. Additionally, two team members bravely abseiled the Lister Hospital tower, raising vital funds to enhance medical equipment, research, staff training, and patient facilities.
• Garden House Hospice – Our paralegal team successfully organised a fundraising quiz night at Letchworth Golf Club, raising an impressive £4,000. Employees also contributed through a festive Christmas Jumper Day.
• Small Acts of Kindness – Sixteen employees volunteered their time to assemble gift bags for the ‘Warm in Winter’ initiative, providing essential items to vulnerable older adults. An additional £839 was raised for this cause through our remote swear service.
• Isabel Hospice – Our Welwyn Garden City office participated in the ‘Make a Will Month’, raising £1,820 for palliative care services through free Will offers and optional donations.
• Macmillan Cancer Support – We hosted a Macmillan coffee morning, with employee contributions raising £500 to support individuals affected by cancer.
• Sue Ryder – We maintained clothing donation boxes in our Hitchin office, with all proceeds supporting our local Sue Ryder store’s end-of-life and bereavement care services.

Engaging with our community

We believe in active participation and fostering strong local connections:

• Youth & education – We welcomed a student from Hitchin Boys’ School for a work shadowing day, offering valuable firsthand insight into law firm operations, from legal research to client care.
• Local festivals & arts – We participated in the annual Hitchin Festival as a host for the Hitchin Art Trail, showcasing local artist Louise Shotter’s work in our Bancroft office windows. We also celebrated Pride Month in Hitchin with a vibrant window display created by local artist Sarah Hunnibell, promoting inclusion and respect. Our firm also sponsored the family-friendly Todd in the Hole Festival 2025, supporting a key community event.

Citizenship

HRJ Foreman Laws supports the need for civic duties, including jury service, membership of public authorities, etc.  We cooperate with employees to ensure that these types of duties do not have a negative impact on the service levels provided to clients.

Measuring and Reporting on CSR

HRJ Foreman Laws recognises the importance of measuring progress towards becoming more socially responsible to track progress and set new reduction targets.

In order to have a sustainable business, our CSR policy will be measured against two broad areas of performance:

Impact on the environmental and natural resources

• Carbon dioxide emissions
• Non-recycled waste/recycled waste
• Waste consumption
• Lexcel certification

Social benefits and costs

• Community donations and sponsorships
• Number of employees
• Diversity across the work force
• Employee satisfaction

We also measure: 

• Financial performance.
• Client acquisition data.