Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is made by Bird & Bird LLP (the "firm" or "we") under section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the "Act") for financial year ended 30 April 2025 and was approved and signed on behalf of the Board of Bird & Bird LLP on 29 April 2025.

The Firm’s Commitment

Bird & Bird LLP is committed to legal compliance and responsible and ethical business practices in all our operations worldwide and we expect those with whom we have business relationships with to do the same.

We are dedicated and committed to maintaining a fair and ethical workplace for all our staff. 

Risk Assessment

As a professional services firm regulated in the various jurisdictions in which we operate, we consider that we are at low risk of modern slavery occurring within our own business. 

Our supply chain continues to be the highest level of potential risk due to the fact that it includes non-regulated businesses and therefore we will manage any potential risks dependent on the nature of the supplier arrangement as part of any ongoing assessments. 

One of the key factors we consider in our approach to sustainable procurement is addressing modern slavery and we have categorised the countries in which we operate in line with the Modern Slavey Index, whilst also reviewing volumes of modern slavery cases, regulation and legislation in place, and government controls to minimise modern slavery at a local level. 

We continue to take steps to manage any associated risks within all countries in which we operate, and an assessment of Modern Slavery compliance and awareness is and will continue to be, part of our firmwide internal audit processes.

Policy on slavery and human trafficking

Our Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking Policy reflects our commitment to only adopt business practices that are legal and ethical and to implement and enforce effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our business or supply chains. We expect our supply chain to adopt the same high standard as we do to prevent modern slavery, by ensuring all employees and workers are treated with dignity and respect in a fair and ethical environment.

Supplier Due Diligence

Our Supplier Code of Conduct sets out the principles we expect of our suppliers, including how they contract with their own supply chain. Within the UK, we include our Supplier Code of Conduct in all contracts with suppliers and aim to implement this globally as we move towards a centralised supplier onboarding system.

Training

We have various resources available to all staff to increase the understanding of risks of modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chain. We have two fundamental learning modules; ‘An Overview of Modern Slavery’ and ‘Modern Slavery Act: Preventing Exploitation’ which alongside our annual newsletter on the latest developments, is provided and mandated for those with direct contact and responsibility for procurement of goods and services on behalf of the firm.

Accountability

We require all members, partners, employees, officers, directors and consultants of the firm, including temporary workers and others who are subject to the direction of the firm, to comply with our Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking Policy.

Our Whistleblowing Policy upholds our Ethics and Compliance Policy and enables the reporting and resolution of any issues within our operations and/or supply chain. Each of these policies are regularly reviewed and updated where relevant.

Progress

We have:

• implemented and rolled out a firmwide Global Code of Conduct which outlines the expectations and behaviours of all partners and employees, including taking individual responsibility for addressing human rights, human trafficking, child and forced labour and therefore adopting our zero tolerance approach;
• refreshed our supplier due diligence questionnaire which includes the right questions we need to ask of our suppliers to understand how they are addressing modern slavery within their operations;
• reviewed and updated our Anti-trafficking and Slavery policy and Purchasing Guidelines;
• established a firmwide operational risk register, which includes modern slavery as a low risk;
• started our supplier engagement programme in partnership with the UN Global Compact Network by inviting our suppliers from across our offices to participate in education and training on topics such as labour and human rights, further outcomes and impacts of this training will be identified in FY25/26.

We will:

• increase the level of understanding on the implications of modern slavery amongst the firm, in particular for those who purchase goods and services, increasing the percentage of training completed;
• establish a centralised supplier onboarding management system to be more effective in identifying potential modern slavery risks within our operations and/or supply chain;
• continue to review the regulatory landscape across jurisdictions in which we operate to ensure we remain up to date on the latest developments and continue to remain compliant;
• review and update our Supplier Code of Conduct to complement and reflect our own Code of Conduct;
• disclose and report on our approach to Modern Slavery within our Responsible Business report;
• evolve our human rights management framework through enhancing our due diligence processes, through our Operational Review and other ESG assessments and audits within each of our offices.  

Christian Bartsch
Chief Executive Officer
On behalf of the Board
Bird & Bird LLP