Raise a glass (or a fountain pen) – the legal profession’s most antiquated greeting has finally been given the boot.
The UK Law Society has formally binned “Dear Sirs”, a phrase that clings to legal correspondence like mothballs on a barrister’s robe. The new guidance urges lawyers to ditch the gendered opener that harks back to the era when the only women in law firms were making the tea or typing the letters.
Citing inclusivity and common sense, the Society’s diversity update suggests lawyers try something less Mad Men, more modern – like “Dear legal team”, “Greetings” or simply using the recipient’s actual name (imagine that).
“‘Dear Sirs’ assumes all lawyers are men – which, last time we checked, hasn’t been accurate since wigs were mandatory and emails didn’t exist,” said the Society. “It’s not representative or appropriate.”
The polite-but-firm slapdown came after campaigners flagged the issue – including estate agency boss Ellie Rees, who took her crusade to national radio and worked with the Law Society to axe the sexist salutation.
“This small but symbolic change means women are finally seen – and heard – in legal correspondence,” Rees said.
Her co-campaigner, solicitor and HiveRisk CEO Kate Burt, called it “a welcome step towards closing the gender authority gap.” Which is code for: about bloody time.
So, next time you’re tempted to type “Dear Sirs” – don’t. The 18th century called. They want their stationery back.
