KMC Legal & Finance -Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Statement dated: 16th September 2024.

This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and outlines the steps KMC Legal & Finance has taken and will continue to take to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not occurring in any part of our business or our supply chains. The firm takes its responsibilities seriously and is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards.

1. Business Overview

KMC Legal & Finance is a UK-based law firm providing legal services across various practice areas. Our operations primarily involve office-based professional services, with minimal external supply chains. However, we recognise that risks related to modern slavery may still arise, particularly in connection with outsourced services, consultant engagements and supply chain management.

2. Responsibility and Governance

Hannah Grainger, our appointed compliance officer for modern slavery, holds overall responsibility for ensuring that the firm complies with its obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. All concerns regarding modern slavery or human trafficking can be reported directly to Hannah Grainger at Hannah@kmc-legal.co.uk. Hannah is responsible for overseeing our firm’s policies, procedures and reporting mechanisms to prevent any occurrence of modern slavery in our business.

3. Policies and Procedures

KMC Legal & Finance has implemented the following policies and procedures to combat modern slavery:

• Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy: This policy applies to all employees, consultants, and suppliers. It sets out clear expectations for ethical conduct and outlines the steps to be taken if any individual suspects modern slavery or human trafficking.
• Whistleblowing Policy: Our firm encourages all individuals to report any concerns regarding unethical practices, including modern slavery. We provide an anonymous reporting mechanism to safeguard the confidentiality of the person raising the issue.
• Supplier Code of Conduct: All our suppliers are required to adhere to our strict ethical standards. As part of our procurement process, we ensure that our suppliers and any third-party service providers comply with the Modern Slavery Act.

4. Risk Assessment and Due Diligence

Over the last 12 months, we have conducted a thorough risk assessment of our business and supply chains, focusing on the following areas:

• Consultant Engagement: We have reviewed our contracts with external consultants to ensure compliance with ethical standards. All consultants are required to confirm that they operate in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act.
• Outsourced Services: We have analysed any outsourced services, such as cleaning and maintenance, to confirm that these providers comply with modern slavery legislation. Due diligence checks have been carried out on these suppliers to mitigate any risks.
• Supplier Vetting: We have established a system of vetting new suppliers, particularly those with overseas operations, and have ensured that they are free from any involvement in modern slavery. We review our suppliers' policies on modern slavery as part of our initial engagement process.

5. Training and Awareness

In the last 12 months, we have delivered internal training to all employees on the dangers of modern slavery and how to spot signs of human trafficking. All staff members have been educated on their roles in upholding ethical practices, and they have been provided with clear instructions on how to report concerns confidentially to the compliance officer. We will continue to deliver this training annually to ensure ongoing awareness.

6. Plans for the Next 12 Months

• Supplier Audits: We plan to conduct further audits of our suppliers to ensure ongoing compliance with the Modern Slavery Act. Where necessary, we will take corrective action against suppliers who fail to meet our ethical standards.
• Updated Risk Assessments: We will expand our risk assessment to cover any new areas of the business that may present risks related to modern slavery. This will include a deeper analysis of our outsourced services.
• Policy Review: Our Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains effective and up-to-date. We are committed to making improvements to address any emerging risks.
• Consultant Vetting: Over the next 12 months, we will continue to ensure that all consultants are regularly vetted and meet the highest standards of compliance with anti-slavery legislation.

7. Reporting Concerns

If any employee, consultant, or third party has concerns regarding potential modern slavery or human trafficking within our business or supply chain, they should report it immediately to Hannah Grainger at Hannah@kmc-legal.co.uk. All reports will be treated with the utmost seriousness and confidentiality, and we are committed to investigating and addressing any concerns promptly.

KMC Legal & Finance is committed to combating modern slavery and human trafficking within all aspects of our business and supply chains. We remain vigilant and proactive in addressing any risks that may arise and will continue to strengthen our procedures over the coming year.