Writing in The Scotsman, Janet Hood, convener of the Law Society of Scotland's Equality and Diversity Committee, says: 'Such a significant pay gap between male and female solicitors reflects badly on what is otherwise a modern and forward thinking profession.'

Women without children

In Scotland the pay gap is close to zero when lawyers start in the profession, but climbs to over 38 per cent after people reach the age of 36. Ms Hood adds that 'women generally appear to be paid lower salaries than men of the same age, both in private practice law firms and in-house legal teams'. Women also tend to earn less whether they are mothers or not. Source: The Scotsman