Last October, when the Law Society released its updated guidance on inclusive language, much of the debate might reasonably have centred on diversity, unconscious bias and equality in the profession. Its ‘D&Ictionary’ encourages workplaces where colleagues can bring their whole selves. It challenges ingrained bias and embeds inclusivity into everyday practice.
Yet the aspect generating the most discussion is surprisingly narrow: the recommendation to stop opening letters with the traditional greeting ‘Dear Sirs’. At first glance, it seems minor, but this phrase sits at the intersection of professional ritual, social convention and the evolution of language itself. As the Oxford English Dictionary reminds us, language is never static: it adapts to reflect societal change, with definitions and phrases falling in and out of use over time. Viewed in this light, the debate over salutations is more than a question of etiquette; it is about how law mirrors society and the values it communicates.
Why one phrase has stirred debate
For generations,
