ABOUT US CAREERS LOGIN RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Modern Slavery Ashurst's role in combatting all forms of modern slavery as a firm and with our clients, colleagues and other stakeholders Modern Slavery Action Plan – Ashurst's commitment As we lead up to Ashurst's 200 year anniversary, we have been working on a way to honour our founder's legacy both now and after our bicentenary celebrations in 2022. William Henry Ashurst was a progressive advocate who was deeply committed to social justice, particularly women's equality and the abolition of slavery. William's four daughters also poured their energy into the fight to abolish slavery and the fight to achieve equality for women, forming correspondence networks across countries and movements. What William's daughters achieved in their lifetimes is remarkable and we have chosen to name our four key initiatives after them. Through this we not only connect our future efforts to the Ashurst family's historical work; we also pay a long overdue public tribute to four incredible women. Recognising the continued growth of all forms of modern slavery and our global presence, we took the decision to expand our existing pro bono work in this area into a global focus for all at Ashurst. This provides a way for us to acknowledge our founder's legacy and commit to actioning that legacy on an issue that remains as much a threat today; and has been only further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Insights and Legal Updates on modern slavery also keep clients updated on new developments. As this is our first Modern Slavery Action Plan, we fully expect that some of these actions will need to be re-evaluated and reimagined over time; however, it is a means by which we can formally think about the potential role we can play in combatting all forms of modern slavery and the steps we can take to achieve this, as a firm and with our clients, colleagues and other stakeholders. Sarah Morton–Ramwell, Partner, Global Head of Pro Bono and Social Impact October 2020 Past and Present: Acknowledging our legacy through four initiatives "As the father of a daughter, I think how frustrated William Ashurst must have been to witness his daughters' incredible efforts continually minimised because they were women. Naming our modern slavery initiatives after Elizabeth, Caroline, Matilda and Emilie is a small step, but one that I hope William would be proud to see, knowing his daughters' legacy will now endure long into the future." Paul Jenkins, Global Managing Partner ELIZABETH ANN ASHURST BARDONNEAU (1813-50) Elizabeth Ashurst Anti-Slavery Network Elizabeth Ashurst attended the World Anti-Slavery Convention with William Ashurst in 1840. Elizabeth worked with Matilda Hays to translate work by George Sand (pen name of Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin) into English and thereby make the work available to a global correspondence network. Elizabeth died in childbirth in 1850, cutting short her efforts to support radical causes. As we build our anti-slavery efforts and connect and engage with others around the world, we will build a modern day equivalent of the correspondence network established by the Ashurst's in the 1800s. Although Elizabeth was unable to achieve all that she wished for in her life, through the Elizabeth Ashurst Anti-Slavery Network, her name will endure and remind us to value the time we have to try and make a difference. CAROLINE ASHURST STANSFELD (1816-1885) Caroline Ashurst Anti-Slavery Awards In addition to supporting the abolition of slavery, Caroline Ashurst was involved in efforts to reform and repeal a range of laws, as well as taking on leadership roles including serving as Assistant Secretary of the London National Society for Women's Suffrage, of which she was known to be an active member from 1867 to 1883. The Caroline Ashurst Anti-Slavery Awards will support a future joiner from Ashurst's London office to spend time supporting Anti-Slavery International, and a future joiner from one of Ashurst's offices in Australia to spend time supporting Anti-Slavery Australia, before joining the firm. These awards will run in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Through this we hope to increase awareness in modern slavery issues amongst our newest stakeholders and nurture future connections between those organisations and our future leaders at Ashurst. MATILDA ASHURST BIGGS (1817-1866) Matilda Ashurst Anti-Slavery Fellow Grant Matilda Ashurst attended the World Anti-Slavery Convention with William Ashurst in 1840 and is described by her daughter as having been "roused to white heat" over the treatment of female campaigners at the Convention. In addition to continuing her abolition efforts post-Convention, Matilda also became engaged in the emerging suffrage movement, including by disseminating one of the earliest printed leaflets in favour of female suffrage, sent to her by fellow anti-slavery campaigner Anne Knight in 1847. On 1 January 2020, we commenced the Matilda Ashurst Anti-Slavery Fellow Grant, a 10 year commitment to support a key role in Anti Slavery International's efforts to eradicate slavery. Through this, Matilda's desire to participate in the work of the organisation behind the first World Convention in 1840 will finally be achieved, with Anti-Slavery International today at the forefront of ensuring women play a key role in the battle against modern slavery. EMILIE ASHURST VENTURI (1820-1893) Emilie Ashurst Development Grant Emilie Ashurst helped to organise the first mass petition in favour of votes for women in 1866 which was submitted to Parliament by John Stuart Mill. Emilie served in a number of prominent roles in many major campaigns of the nineteenth century including editor of journal The Shield, executive committee member for the reform of the married women's property laws, member of the Women's Franchise League and more. The Emilie Ashurst Development Grant will be used to support the development of women in the anti-slavery movement across Asia, ensuring they continue to play a prominent role in future work. Not only in this country, but on the continent, and across the Atlantic – wherever, indeed, the cause of freedom and progress was struggling into activity, his name was known, his advice was sought, and his generous help accorded. EULOGY TO WILLIAM HENRY ASHURST, THE LONDON REASONER, 11 NOVEMBER 1855 Past and Present Our History William Henry Ashurst and Abolition efforts in the 1800s FIND OUT MORE Modern Slavery Today Discussing the common themes of today's forms of slavery: coercion, fear and exploitation FIND OUT MORE Our Modern Slavery Statement Setting out our actions to assess and address modern slavery risks in our global operations and supply chains READ MORE Our Action Plan Our role in understanding and combatting all forms of modern slavery FIND OUT MORE Advising Our Clients Advising Commercial and Pro Bono clients on Modern Slavery FIND OUT MORE Key Contacts Sarah Morton-Ramwell PARTNER SYDNEY +61 2 9258 6321 Rebecca Greenhalgh COUNSEL LONDON +44 20 7859 2855 Helena Yeaman SOCIAL IMPACT MANAGER, MODERN SLAVERY LONDON +44 (0)20 7859 3980 SITEMAP ACCESSIBILITY LEGAL NOTICES TERMS OF USE PRIVACY POLICY COOKIES FRAUD ALERTS CONTACT US MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT © Ashurst. 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