Modern Slavery Statement
Our commitment to combating modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains
Our Commitment
Crestwood Law is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2024. This statement sets out the steps we have taken to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in any part of our business or supply chains.
Statement Period: Financial Year 2024
Approved by: Board of Partners
Date of Approval: January 1, 2025
Our Organization
Crestwood Law is a leading international law firm headquartered in London, England. We provide legal services to clients across multiple jurisdictions and practice areas, with a focus on corporate law, litigation, employment law, and regulatory compliance.
Business Structure
Legal Structure
- • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- • Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- • Registered in England and Wales
- • Multiple office locations across the UK
Key Statistics
- • Annual turnover: £50+ million
- • 200+ employees and partners
- • 4 office locations in the UK
- • International client base
Our Services
We provide comprehensive legal services across multiple practice areas:
- Corporate and commercial law
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Litigation and dispute resolution
- Employment and labor law
- Real estate and property law
- Intellectual property protection
- Regulatory compliance and investigations
- Tax and private client services
Geographic Presence
Our primary operations are based in the United Kingdom, with offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. We serve clients globally through our network of international partners and correspondents, but our direct employment and supply chain activities are primarily UK-based.
Our Supply Chains
As a professional services firm, our supply chains are relatively straightforward compared to manufacturing or retail businesses. However, we recognize that modern slavery risks can exist in any supply chain, and we are committed to identifying and addressing these risks.
Key Supply Chain Categories
Professional Services
- • External counsel and barristers
- • Expert witnesses and consultants
- • Translation and interpretation services
- • Court reporting and transcription
- • Document review and e-discovery
Technology Services
- • IT support and maintenance
- • Software licensing and development
- • Cloud services and data storage
- • Cybersecurity services
- • Legal technology platforms
Facilities and Operations
- • Office cleaning and maintenance
- • Security services
- • Catering and hospitality
- • Office supplies and equipment
- • Furniture and fixtures
Business Services
- • Marketing and communications
- • Recruitment and staffing
- • Financial and accounting services
- • Travel and accommodation
- • Insurance and risk management
Supply Chain Risk Assessment
We have conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of our supply chains to identify areas where modern slavery risks may be higher. Based on this assessment, we have identified the following higher-risk categories:
Higher Risk Categories
- Cleaning and Facilities Services: Often involve low-skilled workers who may be vulnerable to exploitation
- Document Review Services: May involve temporary or contract workers in jurisdictions with weaker labor protections
- IT Hardware and Equipment: Global supply chains with potential risks in manufacturing countries
- Catering and Hospitality: Industries known to have higher risks of labor exploitation
Policies and Procedures
We have implemented comprehensive policies and procedures to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains. These policies are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they remain effective and current.
Core Policies
Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy
Our comprehensive policy that sets out our commitment to preventing modern slavery and the steps we take to identify and address risks.
- • Zero tolerance approach to modern slavery
- • Clear reporting procedures and whistleblowing protections
- • Regular training requirements for all staff
- • Annual review and update process
Supplier Code of Conduct
All suppliers must agree to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes specific provisions regarding modern slavery and human trafficking.
- • Prohibition of forced, bonded, or child labor
- • Requirements for fair wages and working conditions
- • Freedom of association and collective bargaining rights
- • Regular compliance monitoring and auditing
Recruitment and Employment Policy
Our recruitment practices are designed to ensure all employees are working voluntarily and are properly documented.
- • Right to work verification for all employees
- • Prohibition of recruitment fees charged to workers
- • Clear employment contracts in appropriate languages
- • Regular review of recruitment agencies and practices
Whistleblowing Policy
We provide multiple channels for reporting concerns about modern slavery, with protections for whistleblowers.
- • Anonymous reporting hotline available 24/7
- • Protection against retaliation for good faith reports
- • Independent investigation procedures
- • Regular communication about reporting options
Implementation Procedures
- All new suppliers undergo modern slavery risk assessment before engagement
- High-risk suppliers are subject to enhanced due diligence and regular audits
- Contract terms include specific modern slavery clauses and termination rights
- Regular supplier questionnaires and self-assessments
- On-site visits and inspections for higher-risk suppliers
- Incident response procedures for suspected modern slavery cases
Due Diligence Processes
We have implemented robust due diligence processes to identify and assess modern slavery risks in our business and supply chains. These processes are proportionate to the level of risk and are regularly reviewed and updated.
Supplier Onboarding
Pre-Engagement Assessment
Risk Factors Assessed:
- • Geographic location and country risk
- • Industry sector and known risks
- • Use of subcontractors or temporary workers
- • Labor-intensive operations
- • Previous compliance history
Documentation Required:
- • Modern slavery policy statement
- • Employment practices documentation
- • Subcontractor management procedures
- • Compliance certifications
- • Financial stability information
Ongoing Monitoring
Annual Reviews
- • Supplier questionnaires
- • Risk reassessment
- • Performance evaluation
- • Contract renewal process
Site Visits
- • Unannounced inspections
- • Worker interviews
- • Facility assessments
- • Documentation reviews
Third-Party Audits
- • Independent assessments
- • Certification programs
- • Industry benchmarking
- • Corrective action plans
Red Flag Indicators
We have trained our staff to identify potential indicators of modern slavery:
Worker Indicators
- Restricted freedom of movement
- Withholding of identity documents
- Excessive working hours
- Below minimum wage payments
- Poor living conditions
- Signs of physical or psychological abuse
Business Indicators
- Unusually low pricing
- Reluctance to provide worker information
- High worker turnover
- Lack of proper documentation
- Subcontracting without transparency
- Evasive responses to questions
Risk Assessment and Management
We conduct regular risk assessments to identify areas of our business and supply chains where there is a risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place. These assessments inform our due diligence processes and help us prioritize our efforts.
Risk Assessment Framework
Geographic Risk
- • Country-level risk ratings
- • Regional instability factors
- • Legal framework strength
- • Enforcement effectiveness
Sector Risk
- • Industry vulnerability levels
- • Labor intensity factors
- • Skill level requirements
- • Seasonal variations
Entity Risk
- • Supplier-specific factors
- • Business model analysis
- • Governance structures
- • Historical performance
Current Risk Profile
Based on our most recent risk assessment, we have identified the following risk profile for our organization:
Direct Employment
UK-based professional staff with robust HR processes
Professional Services
External counsel and consultants, primarily UK-based
Facilities Services
Cleaning, security, and catering services
Global Supply Chains
IT equipment and office supplies with international origins
Risk Mitigation Measures
- Enhanced due diligence for higher-risk suppliers and jurisdictions
- Regular on-site audits and inspections of facilities service providers
- Requirement for suppliers to provide modern slavery training to their staff
- Implementation of anonymous reporting mechanisms for workers
- Collaboration with industry groups and NGOs on best practices
- Regular review and updating of risk assessment methodologies
Training and Awareness
We believe that training and awareness are crucial to preventing modern slavery. We provide comprehensive training to our staff and work with our suppliers to ensure they understand their obligations and how to identify and report concerns.
Internal Training Program
All Staff Training
- • Annual mandatory training on modern slavery awareness
- • Recognition of indicators and red flags
- • Reporting procedures and whistleblowing protections
- • Legal obligations and company policies
- • Case studies and practical scenarios
Specialized Training
- • Enhanced training for procurement and HR staff
- • Supplier management and due diligence procedures
- • Investigation and incident response protocols
- • Legal updates and regulatory changes
- • Best practice sharing and continuous improvement
Training Metrics
Supplier Training and Support
- Mandatory modern slavery training for all key suppliers
- Provision of training materials and resources
- Regular workshops and information sessions
- Sharing of best practices and lessons learned
- Support for suppliers in developing their own policies and procedures
- Collaboration on industry-wide training initiatives
Measuring Effectiveness
We regularly assess the effectiveness of our modern slavery prevention measures through a combination of quantitative metrics and qualitative assessments. This helps us identify areas for improvement and ensure our efforts are having the desired impact.
Key Performance Indicators
Supply Chain Metrics
Training and Awareness
2024 Achievements
Policy Enhancement
- • Updated modern slavery policy
- • Enhanced supplier code of conduct
- • Improved reporting procedures
- • Strengthened contract terms
Due Diligence
- • Conducted 45 supplier audits
- • Completed risk assessments
- • Implemented new screening tools
- • Enhanced monitoring systems
Capacity Building
- • Trained 200+ staff members
- • Supported 50+ suppliers
- • Participated in industry forums
- • Shared best practices
Areas for Improvement
While we have made significant progress, we have identified areas where we can further strengthen our approach:
- Expanding our supplier audit program to include more second-tier suppliers
- Enhancing our technology systems for better supply chain visibility
- Increasing collaboration with industry peers and NGOs
- Developing more sophisticated risk assessment methodologies
- Improving our incident response and remediation procedures
Future Commitments
We are committed to continuous improvement in our efforts to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking. The following commitments outline our planned actions for the coming year and beyond.
2025 Commitments
Enhanced Supply Chain Mapping
We will conduct a comprehensive mapping exercise to gain greater visibility into our extended supply chains, including second and third-tier suppliers.
Technology Enhancement
Implementation of advanced supply chain monitoring technology to improve our ability to identify and respond to modern slavery risks.
Industry Collaboration
Increased participation in industry initiatives and working groups focused on combating modern slavery in professional services.
Training Program Expansion
Development of specialized training modules for different roles and expansion of our supplier training program.
Long-term Goals
- Achieve 100% visibility into our extended supply chains by 2027
- Establish industry-leading practices for modern slavery prevention in professional services
- Support the development of sector-wide standards and best practices
- Contribute to policy development and advocacy efforts
- Maintain zero tolerance for modern slavery throughout our operations
Statement Approval and Governance
This statement has been approved by our Board of Partners and reflects our commitment at the highest level of the organization to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking.
Governance Structure
- • Board-level oversight and accountability
- • Quarterly reporting to senior management
- • Annual review and approval process
- • Cross-functional working group coordination
- • External expert advisory support
Review and Updates
This statement is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our business, supply chains, and regulatory requirements.
Next Review Date: January 2026
Approved by: Victoria Ashford, Managing Partner
Date: January 1, 2025
Contact Information
If you have any questions about this statement or wish to report concerns about modern slavery, please contact us:
General Inquiries
Email: modernslavery@crestwoodlaw.com
Phone: +447446244925
Address: One Crestwood Square
London EC2M 7PP
United Kingdom
Anonymous Reporting
We provide a confidential reporting hotline available 24/7 for reporting concerns about modern slavery.
Hotline: +447446244925
Online: www.crestwoodlaw.com/report
Email: whistleblowing@crestwoodlaw.com
Statement Period: Financial Year 2024
Approved: January 1, 2025 by Victoria Ashford, Managing Partner
This statement will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.