Initiative to boost social mobility is struggling to raise funds

16 February 2010

An initiative aimed at helping the best talent join the legal profession when their circumstances might hold them back from fulfilling their career ambition is lacking the funds necessary to offer enough places to the pool of high-calibre candidates.

The Law Society's Diversity Access Scheme, which is supported by the Law Society Charity, supports promising entrants to the solicitors' profession who also face exceptional social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to qualification.

The DAS is regarded as a vital initiative in improving social mobility in the legal profession and provides opportunities for those who are prevented from progressing in their career ambitions due to financial hardship, disability, illness or other factor.

However, although the scheme relies on the generosity of donations made to the Law Society Charity, demand for places on the scheme from strong talent is not being matched by funds to provide places.

Law Society Charity Chairman, Nigel Dodds, says:

"Last year a report by the Alan Milburn-led review panel highlighted the lack of social mobility across the professions. The DAS is one of a number of Law Society led initiatives which can really make a difference and help the legal profession identify the best talent, irrespective of their social background.

"However, the scheme cannot turn to government grants or some hidden pot of money. It has to rely on support from the profession and other sectors to make a significant difference. Without it we, the profession, are missing out on reaching the most promising lawyers of tomorrow.

"The scheme has been designed to provide not only financial backing to successful candidates, but also valuable networking and other opportunities which are needed to make it in what is a competitive profession. The outlook is clear though; without more support to fund enough places many will miss out on this very real opportunity for a career in law and the profession will not move forward in its commitment to social mobility."