The campaign to eradicate the use of “Dear Sirs” in legal correspondence is celebrating after the Law Society updated it’s guidance on the ‘outdated and obsolete practice’ and instead recommended solicitors use language which is more ‘representative and appropriate in today’s diverse society.’
In updated guidance published in the last few days the Law Society said the use of ‘Sear Sirs’ dated back to a period when the profession was ‘predominantly male’.
“This is no longer accurate, representative or appropriate in today’s diverse society, where we want to account for and represent the broad scope of recipients including women and individuals with other gender identities including non-binary. Gender-inclusive (or neutral) greetings aim to address this outdated and obsolete practice by using respectful language. These greetings avoid gender-specific terms.!
The Law Society now recommends language which is inclusive and respectful of all, aligning with the values of equality, inclusion and diversity.
For founder of the ‘Dear Sirs’ campaigner Ellie Rees, the Law Society have ‘taken a stand’ on the issue. ‘We really wanted them (the Law Society) to take a position. And by using language such as recommend, rather than encourage, they are doing that’ said Rees speaking to Today’s Conveyancer.
“What it means is if somebody does use it, as in either your profession or within your law firm or from another law firm or in an associated industry, such as estate agency, there is something visible on the website that you can point to that says it is outdated and obsolete practice.”
I think that is really substantial in terms of moving the dial and I think it’s going to lead to more cultural change in terms of representation of women in law.
The update comes after a campaign was launched by Rees, founding director of estate agency Brickworks in 2024. Speaking to this publication at the time she said her frustrations began 10 years ago when, having founded the business with her husband, she began receiving correspondence addressed “Dear Sirs” from other professionals in the property sector.
Professionals continue to be taught “Dears Sirs” is an appropriate way to address correspondence and it does not reflect contemporary society said Rees, adding
“Language matters. “It influences power dynamics and shapes culture. To an extent, it defines our very human experience
She subsequently appeared on national radio and in newspaper coverage of the issue. A change.org online petition has gathered nearly 5,000 signatures.
The updated guidance from the Law Society suggests alternatives might include
- Dear team
- Dear [organisation]
- Dear colleagues
- Dear [role]. For example, “Dear managing partner” or “Dear head of HR”
- To whom it may concern
- Greetings
- Good morning or Good afternoon
Adding if the name of the person is known, it should be used.
Fellow campaigner and member of the Dear Sirs team Kate Burt, CEO of HiveRisk said
“The Law Society’s guidance is a welcome step toward closing the gender authority gap and building a more inclusive, representative profession.”
The sense this is another step on the journey is sentiment Rees wholeheartedly shares:
“We’re really delighted because it does feel like a tangible first step. It’s really small, just two words, but it’s really culturally significant. These tiny customs of industry keep the who patriarchal system in place which is why piece by piece it’s important to question them and take them apart if need be. There’s lots more to do by this feels symbolic.”
‘Inclusive greetings in correspondence’ is included in section 12 of the Law Society’s D&Ictionary
12 responses
This is a nonsense, is it 1st April?
I will still be using Dear Sirs. If you do not know me how rude to use my name?
Surely we should be more worried about the lack of training and competence of people using email, rather than how correspondence is headed? More woke lunacy.
I agree with you wholeheartedly- “Dear Sirs” has never been a reference to gender it is a respectful way of addressing another firm —similarly i will not be referring to myelf as ” She, her,singular, human” etc
How about Dear Stressed Person?
Does The Law Society have nothing more important to discuss and issue edicts on? I will continue to use ‘Dear Sirs’. Sorry not sorry.
Good for you
finally catching up with the times!
The Law Society has been outdated for sometime. When can we make changes to it? I mean honestly, have they got nothing better to do with their time? Frankly I start a lot of my messages off with good morning or good afternoon anyway. How is this going to help conveyancers do their job more efficiently and how is that going to help turnaround times?
I’m annoyed I wasted valuable time in reading the guidance note….absolute nonsense.
A Solicitor proud to be of the school where respect matters.
Dear Sirs is a generic term used to address a body that you are not familiar with.
Should The Law Society not be focusing on more significant matters such as Legal Executives in all areas of law who have been seriously let down by the profession?
What absolute rubbish!!! I despair! I shall continue to use “Dear Sir/Sirs/Madam” on any official correspondence I may have cause to write. I refuse to begin any correspondence with “Hi” – unless it is to a friend and via a note!
I’m a female and have been a solicitor for 25 years. Not once, ever, have I read ‘Dear Sirs’ in a letter and thought that it was offensive to my gender. It was always obvious, to me at least, that it was a generic greeting intended to address the firm and not me personally. Next stop is to stop calling the Judges ‘Your Honour’ and replace it with something more up to date like ‘mate’, ‘buddy’ or ‘homie’.
Oh dear!!!
This is really too much – surely it is the content of the correspondence which is important. Please continue to address me as Dear sir. Note the sir should not have a capital letter s.