27 June 2009

Statement regarding FT article, 27 June 2009

We were recently approached about the existence of a number of 19th century documents indicating that one of our early partners, James William Freshfield, acted as a trustee for some of his clients in the transfer of properties in the early 1800s, which at the time sometimes included slaves.‬‪

‬‪Freshfields was not aware of the content of these documents until the FT brought them to our attention.

James William Freshfield was an active member of the Church Missionary Society, as a trustee and committee member, together with William Wilberforce, who was Vice-President of the Society at the time. The CMS was committed to the abolition of slavery and we are proud of his role in it.

At the same time, we greatly regret that the firm is linked in any way to the inhumane institution of slavery.  Freshfields has a long tradition of supporting equal opportunities, human rights and access to justice and we are deeply committed to promoting these objectives.

Media contacts:
Anna Mitchell
+44 77 4074 7976

Mike Burgess
+44 77 9331 0058

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