Overview

This Scholarship is given in memory of Baron Kerr of Tonaghmore (1948-2020), Law alumnus of Queen’s University Belfast (1969), former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Queen’s University and the Bar of Northern Ireland both meant a great deal to Lord Kerr and were a source of great pride.

As a lasting legacy to Lord Kerr’s commitment to both, and to his vision of a more diverse Bar, this Scholarship will be awarded annually to one Queen’s University Belfast Law graduate, to fund their fees for the Bar Trainee course at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS).

Further Information

This award covers payment of IPLS fees for the one-year IPLS Bar course. Currently (2025/26) £10,800.

Eligibility

Applications are invited from trainees who have been accepted on the IPLS Bar Qualification course and who identify as from a Widening Participation (WP) background.  This could include::

• Participation in one of Queen’s WP Programmes such as the Pathway Opportunity Programme or Senior Academy;
• Being an undergraduate student in receipt of a maintenance grant, a special support grant or a means tested bursary;
• Being in receipt of a means tested benefit such as Housing Benefit or Universal Credit;
• Being in the care of a Health and Social Care Trust or Local Authority for three months or more from the age of 14 years;
• Being from a disadvantaged area (Quintile 1) as defined by NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency).Quintile 1 (Q1) represents the 20% most deprived areas as per the tracker in this link; https://www.nisra.gov.uk/news/new-ni-multiple-deprivation-measures-2017-lookup-tool
• Being in receipt of Disabled Students Allowance.

This criteria will be verified with student records and other verification may be requested.

Applicants are also required to write up to 500 words on the impact this Scholarship will make on their ambitions to join the Bar of Northern Ireland.

Closing Date: To be confirmed (August 2025)

How to Apply: To be provided

Any queries please contact: Jane Boal; j.boal@qub.ac.uk  

TERMS & CONDITIONS – Lord Kerr Scholarship

1. If successful in the application process, the successful student must be fully registered for their place on the full-time Bar Trainee course at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS), Queen’s University Belfast, starting in the academic year 2025/26.
2. The scholarship cannot be used in lieu of any required deposit and no cash alternative is available.
3. The Scholarship is for entry in the autumn semester of the academic year 2025/26 and cannot be used for 2026/27 entry or any other year.
4. Students must be self-funded.
5. If you are in receipt of funding (either tuition fees or tuition fees and living costs) from an external sponsorship body such as Government, a charity or a private organisation you will not be eligible for this Scholarship. This excludes students in receipt of educational loans.
6. As a recipient of the Lord Kerr Scholarship award, you agree to participate in marketing related activities and/or events to promote and share your experiences of the Lord Kerr Scholarship. You will also be required to produce a short report of your studies at IPLS to be shared with the family of Lord Kerr.
7. The University is unable to consider requests for increased and/or further funding. The amount of scholarship offered is non-negotiable.
8. The University’s decision regarding successful scholars to the course is final, and no further correspondence shall be entered into.
9. The University reserves the right to vary all or any scholarship awards and regulations at its sole discretion.

This was established by John P B Maxwell and is awarded to the top four Bar trainees with the highest aggregate mark in formal examinations who satisfy the Benchers of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland that they intend to practice at the Bar of Northern Ireland for a period of twelve months after call.

This competition assesses core advocacy skills.  Prizes are awarded to the top three advocates in a mock trial competition.

Established by the Benchers and Executive Bar Council of the Honourable Society of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland.  These scholarships are awarded to the Bar trainees coming fifth to tenth in their aggregate marks in formal examinations taken at the Institute.

Objective

To address one of the key barriers to the solicitors' profession faced by those from less advantaged backgrounds.

Scope of the Centenary Bursary Scheme

This award covers payment of IPLS fees for the one-year IPLS Solicitor course for two trainees. Currently (2025/26) £10,800.

No additional funding is available to assist with any living expenses such as accommodation, childcare, transport; nor for any  other costs which may be incurred in undertaking the two year trainee programme.

Application Criteria 2025

Please note that LSNI Centenary Bursary Scheme is only open to those ready to start the Trainee Solicitor Programme in September 2025.  This means securing a conditional place at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, subject to securing a training contract and subject to registering as a student of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

Applicants

Residence

1.1 Applicants must plan to continue their studies whilst residing in Northern Ireland.

Financial criteria

1.2 Applicants will be required to confirm the following statements:

a. They do not have access to familial loans or financial gifts

b. They do not have more than £5,000 in their savings account, current account, ISA or held elsewhere.

Background

1.3 Applicants will be required to confirm one or more of the following statements:

a. I am part of the first generation in my family to attend higher education

b. I was eligible for free school meals whilst at secondary school

c. Being an undergraduate student in receipt of a maintenance grant, a special support grant or a means tested bursary;

d. Being in receipt of a means tested benefit such as Housing Benefit or Universal Credit;

e. Being in the care of a Health and Social Care Trustor Local Authority for three months or more from the age of 14 years.

The scheme will open in June 2025, interviews in July 2025.

For more information please contact: traineeinfo@lawsoc-ni.org