Law Society awards 16 Diversity Access Scheme scholarships to aspiring solicitors

Anna O’Boyle is acting senior content and engagement coordinator at LawCareers.Net 

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The Law Society of England and Wales has awarded 16 scholarships to aspiring solicitors through its Diversity Access Scheme (DAS), which aims to improve social mobility and increase diversity within the legal profession. 

The scheme supports those who face financial and personal barriers to qualification as a solicitor, with recent changes to the scheme’s eligibility criteria introduced to encourage more disabled aspiring solicitors to apply for and receive support.  

DAS is open to those planning to qualify as a solicitor by completing either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the newer Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). In addition to financial assistance, participants will receive help with accessing high-quality paid work experience opportunities and valuable mentoring programmes. 

Law Society President Mark Evans welcomed the latest cohort of scholars and thanked the various organisations and individuals who support the programme. Evans highlighted the importance of a representative legal profession, which the scheme aims to help achieve, stating: “The legal profession must reflect the society it serves. It is imperative that people from all backgrounds are given the opportunity to join and succeed in this rewarding profession.”  

While announcing the new cohort, Evans encouraged aspiring solicitors facing challenges on their route to qualification to consider applying to the scheme, as well as inviting potential sponsors to help support its work. 

A 2016 DAS alumnus and interview panellist, Gary Steel, emphasised the programme’s impact on his own qualification journey and praised the quality of applications received this year. Steel said: “The standard of applications for the Law Society Diversity Access Scheme this year was incredible. We were genuinely blown away by the talent, passion and commitment shown by the applicants. Making a decision was not easy.” 

Meanwhile, Law Society Council member and sponsor of the scheme, Sushila Abraham, stated: “The Diversity Access Scheme has the power to change lives. The funding opens doors, but it is the individual support, encouragement and belief in each person that really changes lives.” 

A number of organisations continue to support the scheme, recognising the positive impact it has on the legal profession. Law firm Kingsley Napley LLP is among its sponsors and backs the initiative in memory of colleague Brandusa Tataru-Marinescu, a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion.  

Various educational institutions also support DAS. Legal Practice Course supervisor at The University of Westminster, Miles Macleod said the university has  sponsored the scheme for more than a decade and added: “The student recipients of the award that embark upon our Legal Practice Course have been a diverse range of talented individuals who might otherwise have not been able to study the course due to various personal circumstances. 

In a similar vein, the Dean of BPP University Law School, which also sponsors DAS, stated: “Talent is found in every background, but too often circumstances can create barriers to a career in law. 

“Supporting DAS scholars is not only the right thing to do but it also strengthens the profession as a whole. We have the opportunity to help develop the next generation of solicitors, bringing a broader range of experiences and perspectives into the legal sector. That diversity of thought and experience ultimately makes the profession stronger and better equipped to serve society.” 

Find out more about diversity within the legal profession by visiting our Diversity in law hub.