• You need to be from the United Kingdom, planning a career as a solicitor in England or Wales
• Be over 18 years old on the day of your application
• Have attended a state school and the first generation of your family to attend University OR
• Have received a scholarship or bursary because of your family income/social mobility status OR
• Consider yourself to be from a low-income background OR
• Received free school meals aged 11-16 due to financial hardship OR
• Have spent time in local authority care OR
• Have been a refugee OR
• Been in paid employment during your A-levels for 20+ hours per week OR
• Been in paid employment during your undergraduate degree for 10+ hours per week.

You must also:

• Be currently on, or have a place confirmed at, a part time or full time undergraduate or postgraduate course
• Demonstrate a firm commitment to pursuing a career as a solicitor

Please read the eligibility criteria and make sure that you provide everything that is necessary for us to process your application.

Due to the volume of applications please note we cannot enter any correspondence regarding incomplete applications or Trustee decisions.

You will need to tell us why you need the grant and demonstrate your personal commitment to a career in law. The Trustees will look at your commitment and evidence that you have attempted to improve your financial situation. So, for example, if you have taken a part-time job, it is a good idea to include this information.

Where an application relates to a Law Firm event or experience and the relevant Law Firm is not providing expenses, we may request a copy of the email or letter confirming the applicant has a place. The email or letter must be made available from the Law Firm and/or an organisation acting for the Law Firm.

Trustees require applicants to have a minimum 2.1 degree to qualify for a scholarship.

If you are a student, we will request confirmation from your named reference, on headed paper, or a University/College email address.

If you are planning to become a student, we may request, later, evidence that you have been offered a place on a course.

Trustees require one professional and one academic reference. 

A professional reference should be from a Manager or Supervisor from a paid or voluntary position who is not a family member or friend.  Where possible a reference should be provided from their professional email. 

Academic references should be from a Tutor or member of staff who is involved in pastoral care and from a paid or voluntary position who is not a family member or friend.  A reference will only be accepted from their academic institution email.

Full contact details of referees must be provided, including a contact telephone number as we may contact them to clarify details.

Your referee will need to respond to our requests including stating how long they have known you for and confirm that the circumstances on which you are applying are correct.

Your application will not be processed until Trustees are satisfied with your references.

IMPORTANT

You must provide your referees with the information you plan to put into your application.  These details will include evidencing your commitment to a career in law and why you believe you deserve a grant.