童颜视频

The shortlisting recognises a long-term collaboration focused on widening access to the legal profession and supporting students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds through financial support, mentoring and professional development.

The initiative was launched in 2021, when  partnered with the 童颜视频’s School of Business and Law to establish a scholarship programme supporting aspiring law students facing financial and social barriers to higher education and legal careers. 

The Law Progression Scholarships provide £2,000 per year for the duration of a student’s undergraduate degree, alongside mentoring from Family Law Partners’ legal specialists and opportunities to gain insight into professional legal practice. 

The programme was developed in response to challenges within the legal sector. The Legal Services Board and Solicitors Regulation Authority have both highlighted the impact of financial barriers, limited access pathways and a lack of socio-economic diversity across the profession. These challenges have intensified in recent years amid rising living costs and increased pressure on students.

Since its launch, the programme has supported 10 students, all from lower socio-economic backgrounds, with demand continuing to grow. Applications have more than doubled since 2021, reflecting increasing awareness of the scheme and the need for targeted support at an early stage in students’ academic journeys.

Students have highlighted the combined impact of financial support and professional mentoring, which helps build confidence, reduce pressure and provide a clearer pathway into legal careers. All scholars who have completed their studies have graduated with a 2:1 or 2:2, demonstrating the programme’s role in supporting academic success.

Professor Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor of the 童颜视频, said: “At the 童颜视频, our students are the change鈥憁akers and innovators who embody the future we strive to create. They bring with them powerful, diverse lived experiences that enrich our communities, strengthen our professions, and help build a more just society.

“As someone who was the first in my family to attend university, and having spent many years teaching law, I know how vital it is that the legal profession reflects the full spectrum of our society. That is why the Family Law Partners scholarship programme is so deeply meaningful.

“This partnership is opening doors to students whose backgrounds are historically under鈥憆epresented within the legal sector, and it gives them the opportunity to step into the profession as the compassionate, capable agents of change our world urgently needs. I am immensely proud of what has already been achieved – and of the students whose futures are being transformed through this exceptional initiative.”

Gemma Hope, Director at Family Law Partners and Scholarship Scheme Champion, said: “We have been delighted to see the progress of the young people engaged in the scholarship scheme. To see legal careers budding for students鈥痺ho may otherwise have found accessing higher education difficult is a wonderful feeling professionally.”

"As a firm, we are passionate about ensuring the public is served by lawyers from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and not just those individuals fortunate enough to have the financial means to study law. This scheme enables us to put our money where our mouth is.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to tackling structural barriers to social mobility by intervening early, during education, where support can have the greatest impact on long-term outcomes.

The People in Law Awards celebrate outstanding achievements across the legal sector, recognising organisations and initiatives that are driving positive change and improving access to the profession.

The 童颜视频 and Family Law Partners’ shortlisting highlights the growing importance of sustained, collaborative approaches to widening participation and creating opportunities within law.