Supplier Code of Conduct

10 March 2026

Our Commitment

Hive Legal is a purpose-led law firm committed to positive outcomes for our clients, our people, our communities, and the environment. We work with suppliers who share our values and act responsibly, ethically, and transparently, and we believe meaningful impact comes from trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This Code sets the minimum standards we expect from our suppliers and their supply chains. We recognise that suppliers operate in different contexts, and our approach is to be clear about expectations, fair in how we apply them, and open to dialogue about how we can improve outcomes together.

Supplier Expectations

This Code applies to all suppliers and partners we work with, including contractors, consultants, service providers, and their supply chains, wherever they operate. By working with Hive Legal, suppliers commit to meeting these standards and to taking reasonable steps to support their own suppliers to do the same.

Acting with purpose and integrity

Suppliers must conduct business ethically, lawfully, and in a way that reflects respect for people, communities, and the environment.

Suppliers must:

  • Be open, accurate, and honest when providing information to Hive Legal, including not knowingly providing false, misleading, or incomplete information in relation to compliance with this Code;
  • Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards;
  • Maintain accurate records relevant to their work with Hive Legal;
  • Disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest;
  • Avoid offering or accepting gifts, benefits, or hospitality that are intended to, or would be reasonably likely to, improperly influence business decisions; and
  • Conduct business fairly, honestly, and transparently.

Corruption, bribery, extortion, or any other unethical conduct will not be tolerated.

Human rights and fair work

Hive Legal expects suppliers to respect and uphold internationally recognised human rights across their operations and supply chains.

Suppliers must:

  • Never use forced, involuntary, trafficked, or child labour;
  • Treat all workers with dignity and respect, free from harassment, violence, or discrimination;
  • Respect freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining;
  • Pay fair and lawful wages and provide reasonable working hours and conditions; and
  • Work towards paying living wages where practicable, including for contractors and temporary workers.

Suppliers must have processes in place to identify, prevent, mitigate, and remediate actual or potential human rights impacts in their operations and supply chains. This includes ongoing assessment and taking corrective action where risks or impacts are identified.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Hive Legal values diversity, equity and inclusion and seeks to work with suppliers who foster inclusive, respectful workplaces.

Suppliers must:

  • Promote equal opportunity and fair treatment;
  • Take reasonable steps to build inclusive and diverse teams; and
  • Support workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and able to contribute.

We encourage partnerships with businesses owned or led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, refugees, and other underrepresented groups.

Health, safety, and wellbeing

Suppliers may be asked to share policies, actions, or progress relating to diversity and inclusion.

Suppliers must provide a safe, secure, and culturally safe working environment for all workers.

Suppliers must:

  • Comply with all applicable work health and safety laws;
  • Ensure workers are appropriately trained and supported;
  • Take practical steps to prevent accidents, injuries, and illness; and
  • Foster workplaces where psychological safety and wellbeing are respected.

Suppliers may be asked to share their approach to health and safety with Hive Legal.

Environmental responsibility and climate action

Hive Legal is committed to reducing environmental harm and supporting the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Suppliers must:

  • Comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations;
  • Minimise pollution, waste, and environmental harm; and
  • Use resources responsibly and efficiently

Suppliers are encouraged to consider and reduce their environmental impacts over time, where practicable. Where relevant, this may include working towards recognised climate goals and taking reasonable, proportionate steps to reduce material greenhouse gas emissions. Suppliers may be asked to share environmental policies, emissions data, or climate action plans, and to demonstrate progress over time.

Supply chain responsibility

Suppliers are responsible for ensuring their own suppliers are aware of this Code and are supported to meet similar standards. This includes taking a practical, risk-based approach and focusing effort where impacts or risks are higher.

Suppliers must:

  • Take reasonable steps to assess risks within their supply chains;
  • Consider ethical, social, and environmental impacts when selecting subcontractors; and
  • Notify Hive Legal promptly of any serious risks or breaches within their supply chain.

Supply chain responsibility

Where suppliers access, store, process, or transmit Hive Legal information, they must protect it in line with good industry practice and legal obligations.

This includes implementing information security controls that are aligned with recognised standards and frameworks, such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, or equivalent approaches, where appropriate to the nature and risks of the services provided.

At minimum, suppliers must:

  • Use appropriate technical and organisational measures to keep information secure;
  • Ensure only authorised personnel have access to Hive Legal information;
  • Protect confidential and sensitive information from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access;
  • Ensure subcontractors meet equivalent security standards;
  • Report any actual or suspected data breach or security incident immediately; and
  • Return or securely destroy Hive Legal information when the supplier relationship ends.

Reporting concerns and grievances

Suppliers must provide confidential and accessible grievance mechanisms for workers, including those employed by subcontractors. These may include email or anonymous online reporting.

Hive Legal will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith. We encourage open communication and early engagement if issues arise.

Mandatory notifications

Suppliers must promptly notify Hive Legal if they:

  • Identify non-compliance or a breach of this Code;
  • Become aware of serious risks or incidents that may impact compliance;
  • Receive an adverse regulatory ruling or enforceable undertaking relating to matters covered by this Code; or
  • Are unsure whether a situation may be a breach or need guidance.

Monitoring, review, and continuous improvement

Hive Legal may ask suppliers to share information or provide reasonable evidence to help us confirm compliance with this Code. We expect suppliers to cooperate in good faith and to provide accurate and complete information.

Suppliers are expected to have appropriate policies, processes, and controls in place to support compliance with this Code. These should be proportionate to the size, nature, and risk profile of the supplier’s operations.

If a breach of this Code is identified, Hive Legal will work constructively with the supplier to agree on a corrective action plan with clear steps and timeframes. Where serious or repeated breaches occur, or where issues are not addressed despite reasonable efforts, Hive Legal may suspend or end the supplier relationship.

Contact

For further information please contact ops@hivelegal.com.au.

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