• Be from England or Wales
• Be over 18 years old on the day of your application
• Have attended a state school (non-selective) comprehensive OR
• Have attended a state school (selective) OR
• Be the first generation of your family to attend University OR
• Be the first generation of your family to pursue a career as a solicitor 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 OR
• Have spent time in local authority care 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.

All applications need covering statements. 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.

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 on headed paper that will be scanned and returned via email where possible. 

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 to their professional email and/or on headed paper scanned and returned via email where possible. 

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.  Where possible, a reference should be provided to their academic institution email and/or on headed paper scanned and returned via email where possible.

Full contact details of referees must be provided, including a contact telephone number.

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.