Microsoft has launched a bonus scheme for its lawyers and for the external law firms it uses, to promote diversity.

The company has selected 17 law firms that have diversity programmes and has given them a rate increase on legal fees of up to 3%. If the firms report concrete diversity improvements, this will increase by a further 2%.

In addition, Microsoft in the US has introduced a new bonus scheme for its own senior lawyers. Of their yearly bonus, 5% will depend on how well the 17 external firms improve their own diversity measures.

The software giant has also pledged to increase the number of women in its legal team's senior management over the coming year.

Bradford Smith, general counsel at the Microsoft Corporation, said: "We believe that diversity in our legal teams is a business necessity. This is important both for our own department and for the law firms on which we rely. We know we don't have all the answers and we fully expect this programme may change in coming years as we gain experience and gather feedback."