Modern Slavery Statement
Introduction
This Modern Slavery Statement is provided by Oracle Solicitors and Consultants Ltd. (hereafter referred to as the Company, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’), for the calendar year 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 pursuant to its obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Forced labour and modern slavery continues to be a critical human rights issue globally. Forced labour can take many forms, including forced work through physical or psychological coercion, extreme indebtedness, and restrictions on freedom of movement through document retention. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that over 27 million people are in forced labour situations, many of whom are in industries that may ultimately feed into global supply chains. Geopolitical trends and effects of climate change including natural disasters are raising the vulnerability of those forced to migrate for work purposes.
It is imperative for companies to take action and make it clear that there is no place for such practices in any value chain. Respect for human rights is fundamental to Oracle Solicitors and its sister companies, and the Company is committed to ensuring that people connected to our supply chain are treated with dignity and respect. The Oracle Solicitors’ Human Rights Policy, Supplier Procurement Policy and Code of Ethics prohibit the use of all forms of forced labour, including prison labour, indentured labour, bonded labour, military labour, slave labour and any form of human trafficking.
Combating forced labour and human trafficking is essential to achieving globally agreed targets set forth in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs have become an important framework for companies, and they address an array of complex, interrelated global issues. Goal 8 focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all, and specifically calls out the need to eradicate forced labour and end modern slavery and human trafficking. We recognise that collaboration is critical to making meaningful progress; we work with our partners and industry peers, and we aim to amplify our actions and positive impact.
In evaluating our supply chain, the potential risk areas are limited, and the risks are considered low, given that the Oracle Solicitors supply chain consists mainly of goods and services providers for our offices, including equipment and IT software. We continue, however, to be committed to working with our system, supply chain, peers, and stakeholders to collectively address the issue of modern slavery.
This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is a response to Section 54(1), Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and relates to actions and activities for the financial year ending 31 March 2023.
Oracle Solicitors & Consultants Ltd. is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking violations in its own operations, its supply chain, and its products. We have zero-tolerance towards slavery and require our supply chain to comply with our values.
Organisational Structure
The company is a legal services provider, trading as ‘Oracle Solicitors & Consultants Ltd.’ and has business operations in the United Kingdom, as well as:
- Albania
- Germany
- Ireland
- Poland
- Italy
The nature of our supply chains is as follows: We operate in the legal sector. We work with a number of key direct suppliers, who provide us with goods, such as equipment for our premises, and services, such as outsourced business processes, IT software and marketing services.
For more information about the Company, please visit our website: https://oraclesolicitors.co.uk/.
Policies
We operate a number of internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. These include the following:
- Recruitment and selection policy – The policy outlines ethical recruitment via recruitment agencies, the need for DBS checks and equal opportunities monitoring from the beginning of the recruitment process.
- Whistleblowing policy – The policy outlines that labour standards will be upheld in each location that Oracle Solicitors operates. The company strives to maintain a fair, respectful, and productive work environment, treating everyone with dignity and respect, and provides fair conditions of employment.
- Staff code of conduct – The staff code of conduct outlines that the company adheres to all regulator and compliance obligations, whereas non-compliance to the code of conduct will be promptly addressed and remedied. Retaliation against good faith reporting will constitute a violation.
- Procurement policy – The policy outlines procurement practices including commercial as well as ESG factors, including for suppliers to prove following policies on human rights, worker welfare, and fair labour practices. A questionnaire as part of the procurement process requires suppliers to submit proof of such labour practices.
We make sure our suppliers are aware of our policies and adhere to the same standards.
Due Diligence
As part of our efforts to monitor and reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains, we have adopted the following due diligence procedures:
- Internal supplier audits.
- External supplier audits.
Our due diligence procedures aim to:
- Identify and action potential risks in our business and supply chains.
- Monitor potential risks in our business and supply chains
- Reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our business and supply chains.
- Provide protection for whistleblowers.
Risk and Compliance
The Company has evaluated the nature and extent of its exposure to the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in its UK supply chain through:
- Evaluating the slavery and human trafficking risks of each new supplier.
- Reviewing on a regular basis all aspects of the supply chain based on supply chain mapping.
We do not consider that we operate in a high-risk environment because the business operates in an environment with the majority of its supply chain based in the UK, and/or EU, and in low-risk industries, such as IT software and services.
We do not tolerate slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains. Where there is evidence of failure to comply with our policies and procedures by any of our suppliers, we will require that supplier to remedy the non-compliance.
Effectiveness
The Company uses Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure its effectiveness and ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in its business and supply chains. These KPIs are as follows:
- We will contact suppliers to enquire about their modern slavery practices every 12 months.
- We will train our staff about modern slavery issues and increase awareness within the Company.
- We will carry out a regular audit of suppliers – 20% of suppliers each year.
Training Staff
The Company requires its staff to complete training and ongoing refresher courses on slavery and human trafficking. The Company’s training covers:
- How to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking.
- What initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected.
- How to escalate potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the Company.
- What external help is available.
Next Steps
In the next financial year, we intend to take the following steps to tackle slavery and human trafficking at Oracle Solicitors by:
- Having the business undergo regular audits and open dialogue with suppliers.
- Making sure the business will offer continuous training to staff on Modern Slavery, what it entails and what to do in case of suspicion.
- Putting in place a workflow process to address Modern Slavery with suppliers, and what steps are to be taken in case a supplier is suspected of acting in breach of the Modern Slavery Act.
The statement was approved by the directors.
Dated: 02/02/ 2024
