As a specific and practical response to the underrepresentation of black applicants, pupils and barristers at the Bar, 11KBW has established a Scholarship for black students on the Bar Professional Training Course (“BPTC”). The scholarship has been established for an initial 5-year period from 2021/2022.
The 11KBW Scholarship will provide the successful student with:
- A scholarship award of £30,000 towards tuition fees and maintenance;
- Mentoring from members of 11KBW during the BPTC and pupillage years;
- A guaranteed assessed mini-pupillage at 11KBW; and
- If the student’s score on the assessed mini-pupillage is within a particular range, relative to other candidates, the offer of a guaranteed interview for pupillage at 11KBW.
Jane McCafferty KC, Chair of the set’s Equality and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, explained:
“11KBW recognises that a range of ethnic minority and other groups experience prejudice and disadvantage at the Bar. There is evidence that black applicants, pupils and barristers, in particular, suffer disadvantage and underrepresentation, specifically in areas of practice such as the specialist civil and commercial Bar where there has been entrenched underrepresentation.
Our Chambers is committed to taking meaningful action to address this. By establishing this scholarship, we are focussing on entry into the profession. As the costs of initial qualification and existing underrepresentation are barriers to entry, we recognise the need for financial and other assistance to encourage bright and ambitious black candidates to apply to the Bar and to consider it as a profession where they can fully develop their potential.”
Joint Head of Chambers, Daniel Stilitz KC, said: “We are very excited to launch this initiative which we hope will encourage talented black law students to see their future at the Bar. 11KBW is committed to pursuing diversity in practical ways and to recruiting the best pupils and tenants, irrespective of their background, and in particular from underrepresented groups.”
The successful 11KBW scholarship candidate will be selected by a panel including members of 11KBW’s Pupillage and Tenancy Committee and two external assessors, Dr Maggie Semple OBE and Paul McFarlane. For further information please refer to the 11KBW website. 11KBW Scholarship website: https://11kbwscholarship.com/
Applications should be emailed to: Scholarship@11kbw.com
