Law Society opens applications for 2026 Diversity Access Scheme

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The Law Society of England and Wales has opened applications for its 2026 Diversity Access Scheme (DAS), which aims to promote social mobility and increase diversity within the legal profession by supporting individuals who face social, educational, financial or personal challenges to qualifying as a solicitor.

The scheme is open to aspiring solicitors who aim to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and need help with funding, accessing high quality paid work experience opportunities and meaningful mentoring.

Check out our Diversity hub, sponsored by Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, for the latest news and updates on the actions being taken to improve diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

In 2025, the Solicitors Regulation Authority selected the DSA to receive funding from SQE Access and Reinvestment Fund, which it’ll receive until September 2026. The DSA is also supported by a number of sponsors, including law firms Kingsley Napley LLP and Hogan Lovells.

The Law Society and DAS sponsors have invested £3.5 million in the scheme to date, enabling more than 300 aspiring solicitors to complete their legal education and delivering 4,000 hours of mentoring.

Law Society Vice President Brett Dixon said: “The Diversity Access Scheme has the power to transform people’s lives, not just through funding but also through the individual support offered.

“DAS alumni practice in all corners of the profession, including City firms, in-house teams, banking and legal aid centres. We hope to make around 15 DAS awards this summer.”

Since 2020, 26 DAS awardees have started or completed training contracts, while a further 11 have secured qualifying work experience.

2023 award recipient Mara Harris said: “Growing up on a council estate in Dudley, I always questioned if my dream of becoming a lawyer was going to be possible. I didn’t know any lawyers, and those I met didn’t have a similar background to mine.

“The DAS meant I didn’t have to question anymore. The support I received from the DAS allowed me to complete my LLM LPC, and undertake work experience, which were both essential in building my legal career.”

Meanwhile, Ali Bozoğlu, who also received the award in 2023, said: “At a time when I felt my legal career had stalled due to financial constraints, the Diversity Access Scheme provided crucial support.”

“Their contribution enabled me to complete my LPC studies, where I graduated as the top student in my cohort. Beyond financial assistance, the scheme restored my confidence and reinforced my belief that I belong in the legal profession."

Head of employability and engagement at BARBRI, a DAS sponsor, Robert Dudley, said: “We’re proud to continue our long-standing support for the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme. At BARBRI, we believe that talent and ambition, not background or circumstance, should define an individual’s path into the legal profession. Our sponsorship of the Scheme reflects our commitment to widening access and ensuring that future solicitors represent the full diversity of the communities they serve.”

The Diversity Access Scheme is sponsored by:

• NatWest;
• Kingsley Napley LLP;
• UBS;
• Withers LLP;
• Hogan Lovells;
• Sackers;
• S Abraham Solicitors;
• BPP University Law School;
• The University of Law;
• Westminster University;
• BARBRI;
• QLTS School;
• Nottingham Trent University;
• The College of Legal Practice; and
• The Blackwell Trust.