Diversity Access Scheme

The Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) is a unique scholarship programme, designed to address key barriers to the solicitors’ profession faced by those from less advantaged backgrounds.

In 2024, we will be celebrating 20 years of DAS and we'd love to hear from alumni.

If you are a past recipient, please get in touch on diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk.

On this page:

Go to our frequently asked questions.

Through the DAS, we're able to support talented, aspiring solicitors to pursue their legal education and careers through:

  • Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) scholarships
  • mentoring
  • work experience

As part of the scheme, we offer you the chance to be matched with a professional mentor and to get work experience during your studies.

We’ll help find a placement in a practice area that interests you. 

We'll also build formal soft skill support sessions into the DAS next year. 

Find out how the Diversity Access Scheme has helped others

Read our report on applications for the 2023 DAS round of awards (PDF)

Our sponsors

The scheme benefits from the generous support of the A W Blackwell Bequest and the support of Kingsley Napley in offering the Brandusa Tataru-Marinescu Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

With thanks to the following organisations for their donations towards to the Diversity Access Scheme 2024 awards:

  • Ogier
  • Page Group
  • Rabobank

We are also supported by the following firms and in-house legal teams who generously offer work experience placements and internships for our Diversity Access Scheme awardees:

  • Arm
  • Bindmans
  • Browne Jacobson
  • Endava
  • Cerberus Capital Management
  • General Medical Council
  • Gowling WLG
  • Hickman and Rose
  • Justice
  • Kingsley Napley
  • Leeds City Council
  • Link City
  • Sackers
  • Santander
  • The National Trust
  • UBS
  • University of the Arts, London
  • Wedlake Bell
  • Withers
  • Zaiwalla & Co

Finally, we are deeply grateful to the family of Davina Ruprah for their generous donation to the Diversity Access Scheme in her memory. Davina was a talented and dedicated law graduate with a bright future ahead. She worked as a paralegal while pursuing her legal practice course (LPC) and was passionate about supporting others in their legal journey. Her family’s donation embodies her inspiring spirit and commitment to helping aspiring legal professionals achieve their dreams.

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