THE Law Society of England and Wales has launched its 2025 diversity access scheme (DAS), offering support to talented individuals facing barriers to entering the legal profession. The programme provides funding, work experience, and mentoring opportunities to help aspiring solicitors complete their legal qualifications.
Since its inception, the Law Society and its sponsors have invested £3.5 million in the scheme, helping over 300 aspiring solicitors complete their legal education and providing 4,000 hours of mentoring, a statement said.
Recent success stories include 26 DAS recipients who have begun or finished their training contracts since 2020, with an additional 11 securing qualifying work experience.
The scheme targets people pursuing either the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) who face social, educational, financial, or personal challenges.
Law Society president Richard Atkinson highlighted the scheme's transformative impact, announcing plans to make 15 new awards this summer.
"The diversity access scheme has the power to transform people's lives, not just through funding but also through the individual support offered," he said.
Recent recipient Rebekah Brown, said, "Growing up in a low-income household in a deprived area of Liverpool, and managing the challenges of a physical disability, I have faced various barriers throughout my academic journey." The scheme has enabled her to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and qualifying work experience.
The programme has garnered support from major organisations, including UBS investment bank. Bert Suer, managing director of legal at UBS, praised the scheme's ability to support "exceptionally talented young people who might not otherwise go into the law due to factors outside their control."
Another sponsor law firm Sackers offers mentoring and work experience opportunities.
Sarah Pearman, senior HR manager at Sackers, stressed how the scheme benefits both recipients and their staff who provide mentoring support.
Applications for the 2025 programme are open until 23 March.
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