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4. Group BEE Standards
4.1 Overview
The Group BEE standards adopted at the end of 2014 have been
a tipping point in the transformation journey of the Group. These
standards were adopted to address not only the slow pace of
transformation in the legal industry but also by Group firms not
progressing at the desired pace due to the absence of a guiding
framework for transformation in the legal sector.
Group BEE
The Group BEE standards are positioned as a catalyst for change by
standards focusing on key areas of relevance to a firm’s overall transformation.
It is understood that these standards will be periodically reviewed as
represent a shared higher levels of compliance are demanded and to guard against
complacency that may prevent member firms from continuing their
philosophy of progress towards becoming black-owned law firms.
embracing diversity These standards are more than simple numerical targets to be
achieved, but represent a shared philosophy of embracing diversity
and entrenching as a necessary and notable consequence of being a South African
law firm. Member firms are encouraged through the standards to
view transformation as the natural progression of their firm rather than
transformation at a compliance target to be met - an approach which has yielded
positive results to date.
each member firm
To provide guidance and mentorship to firms in respect of their
individual transformation journeys, regional directors from Phatshoane
Henney Attorneys provide support, oversight and mentorship to firms
and help firms to develop plans to meet set targets and implement
initiatives and processes that contribute to the meeting of their
transformation goals.
4.2 The Group BEE standards
Each member firm must meet the following minimum standards
to demonstrate its overall BEE compliance and commitment to
transformation at the firm:
1. The firm must achieve at least a Level 6 BEE Certificate under the
Amended BEE Codes.
2. The firm must be an Empowering Supplier as defined under the
Amended BEE Codes, which includes requiring a firm to submit
its Employment Equity Report if it is a designated employer, and a
Workplace Skills Plan.
3. Each firm must have a current Employment Equity Plan in place
which is monitored by its board and which identifies the strategies
the firm will use to transform its organisational environment and sets
clear targets for the advancement of previously disadvantaged
individuals within the firm across all organisational levels.
8 South Africa’s largest legal network
