Diversity Access Scheme opens for applications

News

Talented aspiring solicitors are invited to apply for a place on the profession’s Diversity Access Scheme (DAS), the Law Society of England and Wales said today as it opened recruitment for the 2026 cohort.

The DAS 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.

Together with DAS sponsors, the Law Society has invested £3.5 million in the scheme to date, supporting more than 300 aspiring solicitors to complete their legal education and providing 4,000 hours of mentoring. Since 2020, 26 DAS awardees have started or completed training contracts and a further 11 have secured qualifying work experience.

The scheme is open to aspiring solicitors seeking to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) who need help with funding, accessing high quality paid work experience opportunities and meaningful mentoring who might otherwise struggle to get the support that they need to succeed.

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

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.”

Ali Bozoğlu who 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."

Robert Dudley, head of employability and engagement at BARBRI, a DAS sponsor, 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.”

Notes to editors

• Applications are open from 18 February to 1 April
• Find out more about the Diversity Access Scheme
• Find out how to support the Diversity Access Scheme
• Find out about the SQE

All inquiries about the scheme from potential participants or sponsors can be sent to diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk

The Diversity Access Scheme is sponsored by:

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

We are grateful to Reena Parmar for donating her speaking fees to the DAS, and the family of Davina Ruprah for their generous donation to the DAS in her memory.

In 2025, The Diversity Access Scheme was selected by the SRA to receive funding from the SQE Access and Reinvestment Fund. This funding runs until September 2026.