Grants and Trusts
Some New Lawyers may fulfil the criteria specified by certain trusts for funding. The Society does not control any of these trusts, grants or scholarships (although we administer the Pritchard Educational Trust on behalf of the Trustees, and we currently have an interest in the Thyne Trust). For further information you should make direct contact with the relevant body.
The Society would also point out that many trusts, grants and scholarships are limited in terms of the number of people they can assist in any given year , and where funding is available to assist with the route to qualification, the decision to embark on the route to qualification as a solicitor should never be dependent on securing any such funding. Nevertheless, we hope New Lawyers find the list below useful.
Thyne Trust (You Don't Need a Gap Year to See the World...)
If you are needing a break from being behind a desk or dashing between court rooms then this year’s scholarship from the Thyne Scholarship may be of interest.
Applications are welcome from anyone in the legal profession in Scotland with ideas for placements or study visits on the following theme:
“Exploring similarity and difference in law, legal practice and the regulation of legal professions across the globe.”
You would be asked to write up your experience for the English-Speaking Union, and The Law Society of Scotland – and may be asked to present to these organisations on your finding.
So what might you do? There are hundreds of possibilities; but here are two to get you thinking:
Working as a lawyer abroad:
Over the past eight years, Challenges Worldwide (www.challengesworldwide.com) has been working with government departments and leading human rights bodies to face the challenge of converting human rights laws into practical action. CWW has, for example, worked closely with Government Departments in Belize to review legislation on domestic violence and co-ordinate implementation and training efforts for department staff, national agencies and police authorities.
CWW offer all the support and help you need to make a real difference. However, the Thyne Scholarship may present an opportunity not only to carry out this worthwhile work but also to consider what can be learned for the practice of law in Scotland, the training of Scottish lawyers, and how as a jurisdiction we work with other countries.
Studying regulation:
The Law Society of Scotland is well respected internationally as a regulator of legal practice, but could it do it better? How do Law Societies and Bar Associations around the world ensure standards are met and represent their professions to policy makers and government? Perhaps a visit to overseas professional associations(s) and some of their member firms would broaden your understanding and suggest ideas for change? Maybe you can bring back ideas for new ways for the Law Society to support the profession or work to raise awareness with the public about the importance of law in Scotland.
To find out more and make an application, please contact John Duncan at the English Speaking Union by 28th November 2008. Completed packs must be submitted by 5th December 2008, and we anticipate interviews being held in mid-December at the ESU’s offices in Edinburgh.
Contact details:
John Duncan
Director, ESU Scotland
23 Atholl Crescent
Edinburgh EH3 8HQ
Tel: 0131-229-1528
Email: director@esuscotland.org.uk
Pritchard Educational Trust
This Trust was established to assist those with academic ability who wish to qualify as solicitors but who, through financial constraints, are unable to do so. Particular emphasis is given to those about to undertake the Diploma in Legal Practice. The grant will be for such period for such amount as the Trustees determine. In 2007/2008 five grants of £1,500 were awarded although this does not guarantee that in academic session 2008/2009 the same level or number of grants will be distributed. The Trustees' decision may depend upon academic achievement. If you wish to apply to the Pritchard Educational Trust, download the form on the right hand side of this page, complete and return to sisichang@lawscot.org.uk
The Clark Foundation for Legal Education
The Clark Foundation for Legal Education invites applications for grants and scholarships from persons practising law in Scotland whether as solicitors or advocates and from persons studying at Scottish Universities or other institutions of higher education based in Scotland.
The purpose of the Foundation is to promote and advance the legal and business education and training of Scots lawyers and students of Scots Law. Suitable applicants can undertake (a) courses of study in Scots Law or comparative legal systems or the law of the European Community or foreign languages or business management or (b) the writing of legal textbooks. Alternatively they can undertake research in any one or more aspects of Scots Law and/or its relationship with other legal systems or the institutions of the European Community.
Awards will be made annually in September and application forms should be returned no later than the end of March. To request an application visit the Tods Murray website.
McGrigors
If you are retraining in law following a successful career in another field, you could be eligible for a McGrigors Scholarship worth up to £2,000 for each year of an accelerated or standard LLB degree course – plus a summer placement with McGrigors, an interview for a traineeship and help with post-graduate diploma costs. See the McGrigors website.
Shepherd + Wedderburn
UK law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has funded the first corporate Tercentenary Scholarship for the University of Edinburgh School of Law. The £25,000 endowed scholarship will provide a law student with the sum of £1,000 a year to help offset the expenses of studying. See the Shepherds website.
If you are aware of other trusts or funding opportunities which the Society could promote to New Lawyers, please email newlawyers@lawscot.org.uk
