Scholarship applications open for intending 2024 devils
The Faculty of Advocates is inviting applications for scholarships from those intending to begin devilling in 2024.
Faculty's four scholarship schemes to remove barriers to membership of the Scottish bar for those with the skills and motivation to practise as advocates. In the last five years, over 60 scholarships have been awarded, comprising over £350,000 worth of support. Devilling is a period of unpaid training lasting about nine months.
The Lord Reid Scholarship is awarded in honour of the late appeal judge Lord Reid from a bequest provided by him. One scholarship is awarded annually to the most outstanding candidate. In recent years, the award has been in the region of £10,000.
One or more Faculty Scholarships may also be awarded to candidates of particular merit. In recent years, these awards have been in the region of £5,000.
The SCLR Scholarship is generously funded by the Scottish Council of Law Reporting and is administered by the Faculty’s Scholarship Committee. The criteria and award levels are similar to those of the Faculty Scholarships.
The Lord Hope Scholarships are funded by contributions made by existing members of Faculty. The size and number of scholarships depends on the need and number of eligible applicants but, often, around eight to 10 scholarship awards have been made for amounts ranging between £3,000 and £8,000.
Applications from those intending to commence devilling in 2024 must be submitted by Friday 28 April 2023. Applications will be decided well in advance of the final deadline for matriculating as an intrant for devilling in 2024.
“These scholarships play a significant role in promoting and encouraging diversity at the bar and are aimed at further lowering financial barriers to entry, in addition to the free devilling training offered by Faculty”, said Ruth Crawford KC, Faculty treasurer and chair of its Scholarship Committee. “All applicants must show sufficient ability, but greater weighting is given when awarding the Lord Hope, Faculty, and the SCLR scholarships to those in financial need or to those from groups currently underrepresented.”
More details on the application process and further information are available here.