Membership

For renewals, follow steps 1-3 in How to join.

Who can join

Membership is open to any individual or any organisation interested in discrimination law who is in general agreement with the Association's aims. 

In addition to practicing solicitors and barristers, we also have individual members who are advice workers, academic lawyers, law students, equalities officers, human resources advisors and trainers. Our associate members include solicitors' firms, barristers' chambers, trades unions, public authorities, equality commissions, law centres, CABx & race equality councils, and voluntary sector organisations/NGOs.

Members can access a full list of our members, and visitors can see a sample of some of our members.

What we offer members

When we surveyed members in 2007, they said the DLA is special because of the "Wide range of people and groups that are represented..." "Focus on discrimination law from the point of view of complainants..." and "Practical advice and application of law in practice..." Over 90% of members who responded said the DLA's analytical overview of discrimination law that synthesises all areas of discrimination law was an important part of their decision to become a member.

As a member of the DLA, Britain's only voluntary sector organisation dedicated to improving law, practice, advice and education across all areas of discrimination, you will receive:

• Briefings - the DLA's 4-monthly journal which provides accessible, complainant-oriented analysis of the latest developments in discrimination law including recent cases in the UK and European courts, and new legislation.

• Invitations to members'-only Practitioner Group Meetings. PGMs provide a unique opportunity to discuss discrimination law matters in an informal setting with diverse experts and practitioners. PGMs attract CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points through the Bar Standards Board and the Law Society.

• E-News and information circulation - Through a monthly information service we keep members updated on discrimination law news and cases. With members in every area of practice we are uniquely placed to bring you up-to-the-minute news of debates and progress in legislation both at home and in Europe.
  We also use e-mail to alert members to the latest developments, events, and reports in the law and practice in the UK and Europe.
• Invitations to participate in DLA responses to UK and EU consultations on strengthening discrimination law and practice.
• Access to members'-only information on the DLA website, including a membership directory with information about each member's area of specialism.

Above all, we offer members the opportunity to engage with others working on eliminating discrimination in Britain, and a respected avenue through which to pro-actively raise issues of concern.

How to join

1. Decide your membership category, and how you would like to pay (direct debit, or cheque/BACS/WorldPay). This will determine your subscription rate. 

Individual members receive one copy of Briefings and are entitled to one vote at DLA AGMs.

Organisations joining as associate members receive one copy of Briefings per organisation and are entitled to one vote at DLA AGMs. However, Associate Members may nominate as many partners/staff as they wish to receive electronic updates from the DLA and (subject to space) invitations to the Practitioner Group Meetings.

2. Pay your subscription. The DLA membership year runs from 1 April every year to 31 March the following year. You can pay by:

• Completing a direct debit mandate and mailing this to the DLA office, or
• Sending a cheque, payable to the Discrimination Law Association, to the DLA office, or
• Making a BACS payment to the DLA's bank account. For details, contact us
• We hope to be able to provide an online membership service [link to WorldPay facility] in the near future

Please contact the DLA office if you need to provide a purchase order number or require an invoice.

3. Complete the members' questionnaire. Please complete the members' questionnaire and return it by e-mail (with an electronic signature) or in hard copy to the DLA office.

We use the questionnaire to ensure our members' database is up to date and that you receive all postal and electronic information at the correct address.

The questionnaire also tells us other important information which ensures we provide our members the best possible service, including whether you want to be listed in the membership directory (available only to other members) and the public referrals directory.