Aspiring solicitors awarded prestigious scholarships

The Law Society of England and Wales’ has awarded 15 tenacious aspiring solicitors each a Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) to help them qualify as a solicitor.

The scheme supports talented aspiring solicitors from less advantaged backgrounds by providing funding, work experience and mentoring for successful applicants.

According to the Law Support Group, the scheme has helped nearly 250 aspiring solicitors to kickstart their legal careers.

This year, the DAS offered to fund either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). 

Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “In recognition of the increased need for funding we are thrilled to welcome fifteen new students onto the Diversity Access Scheme and support them in becoming solicitors.”

To apply, candidates must have:

• no more than £5,000 in savings;
• received free school meals;
• attended a state school; and
• been the first generation of their family to attend higher education.

Those not fulfilling the above criteria must have other exceptional circumstances that have made becoming a solicitor challenging, including issues relating to:

• gender and/or gender identity;
• ethnicity;
• sexual orientation;
• disability and/or long-term health conditions;
• education; or
• other personal obstacles.

One of the 2021 DAS awardees Karen Doyle expressed gratitude in a LinkedIn status: “In September I can attend Westminster University without the constant fear I won’t be able to make the next payment.”

She added: “Law Society, I thank you. The Diversity Access Scholarship is critical to ensuring those from non-traditional backgrounds have a chance at entering the profession.”

Deng Yan (Erica) San mirrored the same excitement on LinkedIn and thanked the Law Society for removing the “hurdle” between her and the means to qualify as a solicitor.

Serkan Yavuz also took to LinkedIn to share the good news: “Although it has been an emotional and challenging journey, I feel over the moon that I can take this next step forward to qualifying as a solicitor.”

The DAS benefits from the generosity of its sponsors, including:

• Hogan Lovells;
• Kingsley Napley;
• Withers;
• The University of Law;
• BARBRI;
• Nottingham Law School; and
• BPP University Law School.

To find out more, visit the LawCareers.Net Diversity Hub and check out the Diversity Access Schemes.