The College of Legal Practice is delighted to announce that they are now a member of the The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme (DAS). The College joined this important initiative as part of our wider aim to support aspiring legal professionals, who may not otherwise be able to realise their career goals to become a solicitor.
DAS aims to improve social mobility in the profession by supporting those who face exceptional social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to become solicitors. To date, the scheme has helped more than 250 aspiring solicitors kickstart their legal careers.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said in the Law Society’s recent press announcement: “We are thrilled to welcome 15 new students onto the Diversity Access Scheme and support them to become solicitors. I am grateful to our sponsors the Law Society Legal Educational Trust and others who have made this all possible.
“The 2022 cohort will be the second DAS cohort to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC), as we are currently transitioning from the current system to the SQE.
“I hugely admire DAS awardees’ achievements in the face of great challenges – previous scholars spent their childhoods in care, are disabled, and others escaped oppressive regimes.
“I know first-hand how hard it can be to break into the profession. Schemes like DAS do so much good to provide financial relief, open doors to prospective employers and enable aspiring solicitors to pursue their chosen career.
“I encourage any aspiring solicitor who is facing particular challenges on their way to qualification to consider applying for a place on the Diversity Access Scheme in future years.”
Peter Liver, the College’s Chief Operations Director, said: “As part of a not-for-profit legal education group, with driving accessibility at the heart of our mission, The College of Legal Practice are very pleased to join the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme.
“We have two very promising students who have joined us through the scheme so far, and we are looking forward to supporting them with their SQE journey. We recognise this is just the beginning, and they will have dedicated tutors and student services support every step of the way.
“This initiative is just one of many ways in which the college is supporting aspiring legal professionals, who may not otherwise be able to realise their career goals to become a solicitor.”
One of the 2022 DAS awardees, Nafisa Julia, said: “The DAS scholarship has provided me with the final stepping-stone I need to achieve my aspirations of becoming an immigration solicitor.
“I’ve faced several obstacles in life, including my father passing away when I was young, experiencing extreme domestic violence, and balancing my employment and academic commitments with being a primary carer for my mother. Receiving the scholarship restored my faith in the fact that hard work pays off.”
The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.
To find out more about the Diversity Access Scheme you can visit the Law Society’s website.
Applications for the next cohort of Diversity Access Scheme awards will open in February 2023.
All inquiries about the scheme from potential participants or sponsors can be sent to Leila Lesan at diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk.