News
Diversity scheme lacks funds
- 24th February 2010
The Law Society’s initiative to boost social mobility within the legal profession is struggling to raise funds. The Society’s Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) is set up to attract the best talent to the profession where they could be held back by a lack of funds.
The DAS relies on donations made to the Law Society Charity but demand for places on the scheme is not being matched by the funds available. The scheme relies on the generosity of donations made to the Law Society Charity.
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. 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.”
The DAS is a vital initiative improving social mobility in the legal profession and provides opportunities for those who are hindered in getting on in the legal profession because of financial hardship, disability, illness or other factor. For more information visit www.lawsociety.org.uk/aboutlawsociety/charity/das.page
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