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.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)