Accomplished aspiring solicitors awarded coveted scholarship
Fifteen talented and tenacious aspiring solicitors have been awarded a sought-after scholarship by the Law Society of England and Wales’ Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) to help them qualify.
DAS aims to improve social mobility in the profession by supporting those who face exceptional social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to become solicitors. To date, the scheme has helped more than 250 aspiring solicitors kickstart their legal careers.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “We are thrilled to welcome 15 new students onto the Diversity Access Scheme and support them to become solicitors. I am grateful to our sponsors the Law Society Legal Educational Trust and others who have made this all possible.
“The 2022 cohort will be the second DAS cohort to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC), as we are currently transitioning from the current system to the SQE.
“I hugely admire DAS awardees’ achievements in the face of great challenges – previous scholars spent their childhoods in care, are disabled, and others escaped oppressive regimes.
“I know first-hand how hard it can be to break into the profession. Schemes like DAS do so much good to provide financial relief, open doors to prospective employers and enable aspiring solicitors to pursue their chosen career.
“I encourage any aspiring solicitor who is facing particular challenges on their way to qualification to consider applying for a place on the Diversity Access Scheme in future years.”
Peter Liver, chief operations director of one of our new sponsors, the College of Legal Practice, said: “As part of a not-for-profit legal education group, with driving accessibility at the heart of our mission, the College of Legal Practice are very pleased to join the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme.
“We have two very promising students who have joined us through the scheme so far, and we are looking forward to supporting them with their SQE journey. We recognise this is just the beginning, and they will have dedicated tutors and student services support every step of the way.
“This initiative is just one of many ways in which the college is supporting aspiring legal professionals, who may not otherwise be able to realise their career goals to become a solicitor.”
One of the 2022 DAS awardees, Nafisa Julia, said: “The DAS scholarship has provided me with the final stepping-stone I need to achieve my aspirations of becoming an immigration solicitor.
“I’ve faced several obstacles in life, including my father passing away when I was young, experiencing extreme domestic violence, and balancing my employment and academic commitments with being a primary carer for my mother. Receiving the scholarship restored my faith in the fact that hard work pays off.”
Notes to editors
To enquire about interviewing a DAS awardee, contact Naomi Jeffreys on 020 8049 3928.
Applications for the next cohort of Diversity Access Scheme awards will open in February 2023.
Our new Diversity Access Scheme sponsors for 2022 are:
- Fisher Jones Greenwood
- QLTS School
- The College of Legal Practice
- Squire Patton Boggs
Alongside our longstanding valued sponsors:
- Withers
- Kingsley Napley
- Sackers
- UBS
- NatWest Legal
- BPP University
- The University of Law
- Westminster University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Hogan Lovells
- Law Society Legal Educational Trust
- With a donation from DLA Piper
Find out more about the Diversity Access Scheme
All inquiries about the scheme from potential participants or sponsors can be sent to Leila Lesan at diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk.
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.
Press office contact: Naomi Jeffreys | 020 8049 3928