Diversity Access Scheme

25 Mar 2025

3 minutes read

The Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) is a unique scholarship programme, designed to address key barriers to the solicitors’ profession faced by those from less advantaged backgrounds.

Through the DAS, we're able to support talented, aspiring solicitors to pursue their legal education and careers through:

Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) scholarships
mentoring
work experience

As part of the scheme, we offer you the chance to be matched with a professional mentor and to get work experience during your studies.

We’ll help find a placement in a practice area that interests you.

We'll also build formal soft skill support sessions into the DAS next year.

Find out how the Diversity Access Scheme has helped others

Read our report on applications for the 2024 DAS round of awards (PDF 830 KB)

Who can apply

The overarching purpose of the DAS is to support:

aspiring solicitors from under-represented groups
those who face significant challenges
those from lower socio-economic backgrounds who lack the financial support and professional networks needed to pursue their legal education and career

For more information read the full eligibility criteria for 2025 (PDF 97 KB).

For more information about eligibility, check the FAQs.

You can also email diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk.

How to apply

Applications to the 2025 Diversity Access Scheme are now closed.

Explore the:

For any queries, email diversityaccessscheme@lawsociety.org.uk.

Key dates

5 February – applications open at 2pm

23 March – applications close at 9pm

23 May – all applicants advised whether they have been shortlisted

26 - 28 June – interviews with shortlisted applicants via Microsoft Teams

9 July – all shortlisted applicants advised whether they have been successful

Our sponsors

The scheme benefits from the generous support of the A W Blackwell Bequest and the support of Kingsley Napley in offering the Brandusa Tataru-Marinescu Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

With thanks to the following organisations for their donations towards the Diversity Access Scheme 2024 awards:

Ogier
Page Group
Rabobank

We are also supported by the following firms and in-house legal teams who generously offer work experience placements and internships for our Diversity Access Scheme awardees:

Arm
Bindmans
Browne Jacobson
Endava
Cerberus Capital Management
General Medical Council
Gowling WLG
Hickman and Rose
Justice
Kingsley Napley
Leeds City Council
Link City
Sackers
Santander
The National Trust
UBS
University of the Arts, London
Wedlake Bell
Withers
Zaiwalla & Co

Finally, we are deeply grateful to the family of Davina Ruprah for their generous donation to the Diversity Access Scheme in her memory.

Davina was a talented and dedicated law graduate with a bright future ahead. She worked as a paralegal while pursuing her legal practice course (LPC) and was passionate about supporting others in their legal journey.

Her family’s donation embodies her inspiring spirit and commitment to helping aspiring legal professionals achieve their dreams.

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