Society of Caribbean Lawyers

Resources for Students & Graduates

FUNDING

  1. 11 KBW Scholarship for Black Students on the BPC

    11KBW has established an annual scholarship of £30,000 for a black student on the BPC.

    https://www.11kbwscholarship.com

  2. allaboutlaw SQE scholarships SQE Scholarships

    https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-careers/scholarships/sqe-scholarships

  3. Aspiring Solicitors

    SCHOLARSHIPS TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST EXCEPTIONAL, DIVERSE AS MEMBERS

    https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/scholarships/

  4. Black Heart Foundation

    The Scholarship Programme supports candidates with their educational endeavours primarily in the UK and US but is open to considering work in other education resource limited geographies.

    https://blackheartfoundation.org

  5. CMS: Law Scholarship

    You must meet all the following criteria to be eligible;

    • You’re in Year 12 in England & Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland or S5 in Scotland*

    • You attend a state-funded school, sixth form or further education college

    • Your parents and grandparents did not attend university

    • You intend to apply to study at university through the 2023/2024 UCAS process (if applying to our Scottish Scholarship programme you will need to apply to study an LLB accredited by the Law Society of Scotland. Full details can be found here)

    • You are passionate about pursuing a career in law

    • You have not been convicted of a criminal offence

    • You are not related to any partner here at CMS

    https://cmsemergingtalent.com/programmes/law-scholarships/

  6. Cowrie Scholarship

    Undergraduate scholarship for students of  black heritage, at the following universities: University of Aberdeen, University of Bath, Cardiff University, University of East Anglia, The Universitty of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, University of Glasgow, University of Hull, Imperial College London, Kings College London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester, Newcastle University, The Open University, Oxford Brookes University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Sheffield, SOAS University of London, University of Southampton, University of Surrey and University of York

    https://cowriescholarshipfoundation.org/apply-now/

  7. Disabled Students’ Allowance

    The UK government’s DSA is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability. This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.

    https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

  8. Diversity Access Scheme

    DAS gives out ten awards to aspiring solicitors from disadvantaged backgrounds. Each award includes a LPC or SQE scholarship, a professional mentor, and a work experience placement.

    https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/campaigns/diversity-access-scheme

  9. Early Bird Scholarship

    the Early Bird Scholarship offers a mentoring scheme with our trainees for support and career guidance during your university studies in law, work experience at the firm, tailored workshops and skills sessions, and financial assistance of £7,500 paid in instalments over your time at university.
    https://www.twobirds.com/en/careers/united-kingdom/early-careers/early-bird-programme-and-scholarship

  10. Family Law Bar Association Scholarship Programme

    In an effort to promote social mobility, equality and inclusion the FLBA is pleased to be awarding 1 scholarship in the amount of up to £25,000 to fund applicants intending to practise in family law.

    https://www.innertemple.org.uk/news/flba-scholarship-programme/

  11. Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme

    The Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme is designed to address the disproportionate under-representation in large commercial law firms and other City institutions of black men from less socially mobile backgrounds. The scheme is aimed at eligible first year law students at participating universities nationwide, and some other students at a small group of those universities.

    https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/about-us/responsible-business/freshfields_stephen_lawrence_scholarship/

  12. Human Rights Lawyers Association

    assist law students, either those currently studying (either undergraduate degree, postgraduate studies or LPC/BPTC/Law Conversion Course) or those who have recently graduated, in undertaking such work enabling those without independent financial backing to take up internships, work placements and other either unpaid or poorly paid work in human rights law. 

    https://www.hrla.org.uk/bursary/

  13. IBA Annual Conference Scholarships

    Scholarships are awarded to young lawyers who wish to participate at the Annual Conference, but may find it financially difficult to do so.

    https://www.ibanet.org/annual-conference-scholarships

  14. Inderpal Rahal Memorial Trust

    One, or occasionally two, awards of £2,000 towards undertaking or pursuing Bar or solicitors’ exams, pupillage, solicitors’ training, or other legal placement or research in the UK or abroad.If you feel that you might be eligible for consideration for an award, please email irmt@gclaw.co.uk to obtain an application form.

    https://www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk/about#inderpal-rahal-memorial-trust

  15. Jamaica National Bank and Nottingham Trent University Scholarship

    Three successful recipients will be awarded £2,000 for each year of study. Eligble courses:

    • BA (Hons) Business Management and Accounting & Finance (FT/SW)

    • BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (FT/SW)
      BA (Hons) Economics with International Finance and Banking (FT/SW)

    • BA (Hons) Economics FT/SW

    • LLB (Hons) Law FT/SW

    • BA (Hons) Sociology FT

    • BA (Hons) Media Production FT

    https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/bursaries-and-scholarships/jamaica-national-bank-and-nottingham-trent-university-scholarship

  16. Midland Circuit bar scholarship

    Midland Circuit is committed to promoting diversity in the legal sector and encouraging underrepresented candidates to pursue a career at the bar.

    https://www.midlandcircuit.co.uk/2023-scholarship/

  17. MUKHTIAR SING Guru Nanak Social Mobility Scholarships

    A strong commitment to a career at the Bar. Applicants will be expected to be studying law at degree level (or GDL); or studying or about to study the Bar Professional Training Course (“BPTC”); or have completed the BPTC but are yet to secure pupillage.
    The potential to become a barrister. This will be tested by the application itself, including the essay.
    Financial and social disadvantage. This will be for the Applicant to demonstrate, who must be prepared to provide further details and documentary evidence upon request. State school education alone is not sufficient. Examples of disadvantage include, but are not limited to:

    • Qualifying for free school meals.

    • Living in, or having lived in at relevant times, social housing.


    Please note that these are only examples. Anyone in doubt over - whether they may meet this criterion should contact Mukhtiar Singh info@singhbarrister.co.uk If you are advised that you meet the criterion, then this is on the basis that you will provide verification in accordance with the application process.

    https://singhbarrister.co.uk/current-bar-scholarships

  18. The Aziz Foundation
    Aziz Foundation offers Masters scholarships to British Muslims

    https://www.azizfoundation.org.uk

  19. The H M Hubbard Law Scholarship 

    awarded annually to postgraduate law students, trainee solicitors or qualified solicitors in England or Wales, who wish to study law in France, Canada or Spain.

    https://www.hubbardlawscholarship.com

  20. The Law Society Law Society Database of Scholarships

    https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/becoming-a-solicitor/funding-and-support-during-your-studies-internships-scholarships-and-sponsors

  21. The Roger Leyland Memorial Excel Scholarship

    The scholarship is open to first year black and minority ethnic (BAME) students interested in a career in commercial law. You must be a Rare candidate in order to apply.

    https://careers.herbertsmithfreehills.com/global/en/job/8071BR/London-2024-Roger-Leyland-Memorial-Scholarship

CAREER

  1. 10000 Intern Foundation

    Runs programs geared at getting Black and/or disabled people internships

    https://10000internsfoundation.com/our-programmes/

  2. Aspiring Solicitor programs

    https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk

  3. Black Men in Law Network

    We are the Black Men in Law Network and we exist to support Black men and women in the legal profession.

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/blackmeninlawnetwork/

  4. Black Solicitors Network

    https://www.blacksolicitorsnetwork.co.uk

  5. Bridging the Bar

    The BTB Academy has been created to support 100 high-quality BTB candidates in obtaining the skills, tangible experience and mindset needed to secure pupillage and succeed at the Bar.

    https://bridgingthebar.org/academy/

  6. Chambers Student

    Chambers Student is the definitive guide to the legal profession. Our interview-based research reveals the truth about life at the leading law firms and barristers' chambers. Our vivid accounts and detailed analysis combine in the most useful guide a student can access

    https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk

  7. Crafty Counsel

    In House counsel resource site that also posts graudate and training oppertunities with In house legal departments

    https://craftycounsel.co.uk/jobs/

  8. Flex Trainee

    Flex Trainee is a two-year social mobility scheme, structured around an in-house secondment to an organisation. We locate the best and brightest aspiring lawyers from historically under represented backgrounds, and embed them via one of three "routes" with forward-thinking legal teams as they accrue their Qualifying Work Experience.

    https://flex.legal/hire/flex-trainee

  9. Grow Mentoring

    Mentorship Scheme for aspiring lawyers

    https://www.growmentoring.org

  10. Landmark Chambers

    Mini pupillage for First and second year LLB students

    https://www.landmarkchambers.co.uk/recruitment/mini-pupillage

  11. Latham & Watkins

    Black Lawyers Group Open Day

    https://www.lwcareers.com/en/beginning-your-legal-career/united-kingdom/our-programmes

  12. Legal Cheek

    Research and news website

    https://www.legalcheek.com/the-firms-most-list/

  13. Legally Diverse

    An instagram account geared to educating aspiring lawyers

    https://www.instagram.com/legallydiverse/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

  14. Linkedin

    How to set up job alerts

    https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a511279/job-alerts-on-linkedin?lang=en-us&intendedLocale=en

  15. Linklaters

    Linklaters Open Day: Black Heritage

    https://careers.linklaters.com/en/early-careers/meet-us/linklaters-open-day-black-heritage#:~:text=At%20Linklaters%2C%20we%27re%20ready,at%20our%20Silk%20Street%20offices.

  16. Rare

    Rare Foundations is our series of introductory career programmes for Black African and Black Caribbean students and students of mixed race with Black African and Black Caribbean heritage in their first year of a three-year course or second year of a four-year course.

    https://www.rarerecruitment.co.uk/foundations/law/programme.html

  17. Rare

    Rare Commerical Law Candidates:If you are accepted, Rare will support you with your applications and interviews with our clients. Eligible candidates may also be contacted about Rare’s development programmes.

    https://www.rarerecruitment.co.uk/candidates/apply-now

  18. SEO-London City Solicitor Horizions

    a three-year support programme aimed at improving access into the legal profession for first year undergraduates from low socioeconomic backgrounds

    https://www.seo-london.org/city-solicitors-horizons

  19. SEO-London Corporate Law

    the programme connects law and non-law undergraduates and recent graduates from both ethnic minority and social mobility-classifying backgrounds with some of the most prestigious commercial law firms in the UK. The comprehensive programming includes great exposure to our sponsor firms, builds confidence, improves industry knowledge and refines professional skills.

    https://www.seo-london.org/corporate-law

  20. Social Mobility Mentoring Scheme A Scheme Run by COMBAR

    Open to all undergraduates (and graduates) from groups underrepresented at the Commercial Bar who do not yet have a pupillage offer

    https://www.combar.com/2023-social-mobility-mentoring-scheme/

  21. Strive Supernova 

    A programme for aspiring commercial lawyers who are looking for Vacation Scheme and Training Contracts. Suitable for current undergraduates and graduates from any degree discipline.

    https://www.strivetalent.org/opportunities/supernova

  22. Sutton Trust

    The Pathways to Law programmes run over two academic years, starting when you are just heading into Sixth Form/College and finishing before your exams in year 13. 

    https://pathwaysprogrammes.suttontrust.com/career-pathways/law

  23. The Kalisher Trust


    To help broaden the ethnic and social representation of the criminal bar by supporting those who, despite their potential, have faced multiple challenges as they strive to achieve their career ambitions.
    To provide training, mentoring and assistance to encourage and inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to achieve their potential through the development of advocacy skills.
    To encourage and support young people who would not otherwise consider a career at the criminal bar.
    To provide training and mentoring, as well financial & career support through internships and scholarships, to recently qualified barristers to help them develop sustainable and successful careers at the criminal bar.

    https://www.thekalishertrust.org/about

  24. The Mentors Collective

    The Mentors Collective (TMC) is a non-profit organisation focused on addressing the lack of diversity in the legal profession. We are dedicated to helping aspiring solicitors with diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential through one-on-one mentorship and specialised training

    https://www.thementorscollective.co.uk

  25. The Stephen James Partnership

    At the Stephen James Partnership, we offer programmes for Black and mixed-race Black candidates to increase their access and insights into law across a range of means-tested and academically selective programmes under the ‘Black Lawyers Matter’ umbrella: Mentoring, Vacation Schemes, Internships

    https://thesjp.co.uk/diversity-programmes

  26. Tyrolawyer

    Mentorship scheme for students based in the midlands

    https://tyrolawyer.co.uk

  27. Vantage

    Whether you’re at school, university or beyond, Vantage will increase your chances of securing:

    WORK EXPERIENCE
    VACATION SCHEMES
    MINI PUPILLAGES
    TRAINING CONTRACTS
    PUPILLAGES
    APPRENTICESHIPS
    PARALEGAL ROLES


    https://www.vantageapp.io