Faculty believes new support fund is helping diversity cause

Interest in training as an advocate has leaped in the wake of a new scholarship fund set up to ease the financial barriers that put off some potential entrants, according to the Faculty of Advocates' treasurer.

Writing in the Scotsman today, Roddy Dunlop QC reveals that for the intake of "devils" expected in October 2019, 19 applications for scholarships have already been received, compared to recent years when fewer than 10 devils annually have undergone training. 

The fund, in name of and supported by Lord Hope of Craighead, a former Dean of Faculty who went on to become Lord President of the Court of Session and later Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court, is based on a voluntary monthly levy on advocates' earnings. Mr Dunlop describes the idea as on the same lines, albeit on a much smaller scale, to the initiative by Manchester United player Juan Mata for footballers to donate a percentage of their earnings to good causes, to "give something back". 

He writes that the Faculty, often thought of as the preserve of white, middle class males, aims to be "accessible by every person in Scotland – regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or societal background – who has the ability to contribute such excellence to the people of Scotland". 

But the fund is also being used to sponsor a place on the Lawscot Foundation, the Law Society of Scotland's charity to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds enter the legal profession.

Faculty claimed today that the "vast majority of practising members" are contributing to the fund.

The new scheme will be the subject of a formal launch shortly, in conjunction with the Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers’ Association. The deadline for applications for scholarships for those intending to begin devilling in 2019 is 21 September 2018.