Event Details

   
Event : Law Society Diversity Access Scheme 2012
Start : 01 Mar, 2012 09:00
End : 10 Jul, 2012 18:00
Description :
Law Society Diversity Access Scheme application guidance 2012/13
The Law Society no longer administers a separate bursary scheme and the only financial assistance available is through the Diversity Access Scheme (DAS). However, applicants who were previously eligible for the bursary scheme will also be eligible for the Diversity Access Scheme.
 
The Diversity Access Scheme provides assistance with fees for the Legal Practice Course (LPC) to exceptional, aspiring entrants to the solicitors’ profession for the academic year 2012/13. Successful applicants are also provided with opportunities for mentoring and work experience.
Information about all aspects of the application criteria, process and timetable are detailed below. Please ensure that you read this guidance thoroughly before submitting an application. Any queries not addressed by the guidance may be emailed to diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk
Please also note that the competition for support through the scheme is extremely intense and the available funding is limited. In 2011, more than 100 applications were received and 19 awards in total were granted. Even if your application meets all the criteria, you should be aware that it still may not be successful.
 
1 Application criteria
1.1 All applicants must be capable of and committed to a career as a solicitor in England and Wales; and
1.2 in a financial position such that it would not be possible to continue study without support through the scheme and;
1.3 able to demonstrate that all other options for funding the LPC have been explored and exhausted and;
1.4 able to meet all living and any other costs incurred in undertaking the LPC (other than tuition fees) during the course of study and;
1.5 able to demonstrate that they face, or have overcome exceptional obstacles to qualification.
 
2 Scope
2.1 The scheme is only open to students seeking to undertake the Legal Practice Course (LPC). The Law Society does not offer assistance with funding for the law degree, GDL, CPE, LLM or any other courses.
2.2 Funding provided through the scheme is exclusively for LPC fees and will be paid directly to the institution at which the successful applicant has chosen to study.
2.3 Applicants may specify the amount that they wish to apply for up to the full cost of the LPC fees.
2.4 No additional funding is available to assist with living expenses including accommodation, childcare, transport nor for any other costs which may be incurred in undertaking the LPC.
2.5 It is not possible to apply for emergency or retrospective funding for courses that have already started nor is it possible to reimburse deposits that have already been paid.
2.6 Applications are open to those seeking to undertake the LPC on a full time or part-time basis in the autumn of 2012 or January of 2013.
2.7 While It is not necessary to have a confirmed place on the LPC before submitting a DAS application, all awards will be subject to acceptance onto an LPC course through the normal route.
 
3 Process
3.1 Applications to the Diversity Access Scheme must be made by completing the application form in full. Short listed applicants will also be invited to interview with a selection panel before a final decision is made.
3.2 The application form will be available to download from the Law Society Junior Lawyers Division website from midday on Tuesday 1 March 2012.
3.3 Completed applications must be submitted in advance of the deadline on midday on Friday 30 March 2012.
3.4 Completed applications may either be scanned and submitted electronically to diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk or by post to: Juliana Smith, Diversity Access Scheme, The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL.
3.5 No extenuating circumstances whatsoever including technical issues and postal failures will be considered for the submission of late applications.
3.6 As the Law Society cannot accept any responsibility for lost postal applications, applicants should consider sending them by recorded delivery.
3.7 Receipt of postal or emailed applications will be acknowledged by email.
3.8 It will not be possible to amend applications in any way once submitted except where contact details have changed.
3.9 All applicants will be informed whether or not they have been short listed by 17.00 on 7 May 2012 and are asked not to follow up before this.
 
4 Interview arrangements
4.1 Short listed applicants must be available to attend their scheduled interview with the selection panel at the Law Society in London between 2 - 9 July. Any applicant who is unable to attend the interview will be withdrawn from the process and no extenuating circumstances will be considered.
4.2 All applicants will be required to provide contact details for two referees on the application form but should not send references themselves at any stage. Referees should be for academic or professional contacts such as teachers or employers who can confirm that applicants possess the characteristics and attributes of a solicitor, including honesty, integrity, the ability to solve problems and present clearly and a wish to serve the wider community. Family members, friends or other personal contacts will not be accepted as referees. Referees of short listed applicants will be contacted and will be required to provide references in advance of interview.
4.3 Short listed applicants will be required to bring with them to their interview proof of their qualifications and financial situation as detailed in the application form including three months worth of bank statements.
4.4 Standard class UK travel expenses incurred in travelling to interview will be reimbursed on the production of rail or coach tickets and receipts.
4.5 Short listed applicants will be advised of the final decision by 17.00 on 10 July 2012.
 
5 Decisions and feedback
5.1 As the awards are entirely discretionary it is not possible to appeal against decisions taken at any stage of the application process.
5.2 Due to the volume of applications submitted, unfortunately feedback cannot be provided on any individual application at any stage of the process.
 
6 Financial eligibility
6.1 Awards made under the Diversity Access Scheme represent an investment in successful applicants by the Law Society. As no additional help with living costs is available, applicants must be able to support themselves and demonstrate how all living and any other costs incurred in undertaking the course, including those of any dependents, will be met.
6.2 A desire to avoid accruing debt is not sufficient reason for support.
6.3 Applicants will be asked to detail all other efforts to secure funding they have made. including the professional and career development loan. Please visit the Junior Lawyers Division funding page for more information.
6.4 All short listed applicants will be required to provide evidence of their financial position detailed in their application prior to interview.
 
7 Exceptional obstacles
7.1 Many students face hardship and have to overcome difficulties in order to gain a professional qualification, however the Diversity Access Scheme seeks to support students who face exceptional obstacles to qualification.
7.2 Exceptional obstacles might include financial, social or educational disadvantage, relate to exceptionally difficult personal or family circumstances or to a disability or chronic health condition that makes the goal of qualifying as a solicitor a particularly challenging one.
7.3 Applicants will have the opportunity through the form to explain how their circumstances represent exceptional obstacles, however please note that the we cannot comment on any individual application in advance.
7.4 For an indication of the type of obstacles faced by previous alumni of the scheme, you may wish to visit the Diversity Access Scheme web page.
 
8 Academic ability
8.1 There are no minimum academic requirements for an application to the Diversity Access Scheme however all applicants must be accepted onto an LPC course through the normal route.
8.2 Where applicable, reasons for academic underperformance may be provided on the application form. However, all applicants should be entirely confident that they have the necessary intellectual capability to be a solicitor.
8.3 Applicants will be asked to submit an essay on a set question as part of the application process in order to demonstrate strong written communication and legal skills. These include an ability to understand and research complex issues and present them concisely, advocate a position, marshal a coherent argument; and offer a clear conclusion.
 
9 Data protection
9.1 The application process requires personal and financial information to be disclosed. This information will be handled sensitively and confidentially by the selection panel and staff administering the scheme.
9.2 Applicants are asked to provide diversity information so that equal opportunity and the effectiveness of the scheme may be monitored. This information will be separated from the application upon receipt and will not be used in any part of the selection process.
 
10 Conditions of support
10.1 Awards are subject to both a formal offer of a place on the Legal Practice Course through the normal application route, and successful student enrolment with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Any applicants who successfully apply to the scheme, and are subsequently rejected for student enrolment will have their offer of support withdrawn.
10.2 There is no restriction on individuals who have previously applied to scheme from reapplying, however they are strongly advised to consider the likely reasons that they were previously unsuccessful.
10.3 Successful students will be asked to provide regular reports on their progress to the Law Society.
 
11 Timetable
 
1 March 2012
Applications open at 12.00 midday
30 March 2012
Applications close at 12.00 midday
7 May 2012
All applicants notified whether they have been successfully short listed
2 - 9 July 2012
Short listed applicants interviewed by the selection panel at the Law Society on Chancery Lane in London.
10 July 2012
All short listed applicants advised of final decisions
 

Wragge and Co Totally Management Ltd
Withers Judicial Appointments Commission
Baker & McKenzie LLP Judicial appointments Pinsent Masons