MAJOR NEW SCHEME TO HELP ETHNIC MINORITIES INTO LAW
(25 September 2003)

Law firms are being asked to support the Law Society's Diversity Access Scheme aimed at benefiting students currently deterred from qualifying as a solicitor. The initiative will provide work placements for undergraduates, mentoring for legal practice course students and scholarships to pay the fees of people taking legal qualification courses.

People chosen will have to demonstrate that they have the potential to make an exceptional contribution to the solicitors' profession and must face obstacles relating to a disability of some kind, or to social educational, financial or family circumstances.

In its first year, the Society aims to raise one hundred and fifty thousand pounds to fund a small number of scholarships and is also asking law firms to support the mentoring and work placement elements of the scheme. The scheme is launched at the Law Society's Annual Conference at the QEII Conference Centre, Westminster, this week.

Law Society Chief Executive, Janet Paraskeva, says: "The Diversity Access Scheme will provide opportunities for highly talented people who might otherwise fail to realise their ambitions of becoming a solicitor. We believe the solicitors' profession will be greatly enriched and enhanced if its profile more accurately matches the society it serves.

"The Society recognises that financial obstacles are only part of the problem and we accept that the solicitors' profession can appear extremely intimidating and inaccessible to those from non-professional backgrounds. This scheme will encourage and enthuse students and make the law more accessible to many people."

Law firms and young people interested in receiving more information about the Diversity Access Scheme should register their details by e-mailing; diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk or calling 01527 519190. The first scholarships will be awarded in summer 2004

Top