Commercial Bar Association offers scholarships and work experience to aspiring barristers
updated on 13 December 2016
The Commercial Bar Association (also known as COMBAR) is once again offering financial awards and work experience in 2017, as part of its drive to encourage people from less-privileged backgrounds to consider careers as commercial barristers.
COMBAR is funding up to 10 £500 scholarships in the academic year 2016-17, which also include at least one week’s work experience in a commercial barristers’ chambers and an ongoing mentoring relationship with a designated barrister for those who decide to pursue their interest in the Bar further. Students awarded scholarships will also be invited to a networking event with COMBAR members.
Students can apply for the scholarships through two separate schemes, run at Inner Temple and Middle Temple respectively. Candidates apply for their chosen Inn of Court’s scheme and are then asked to indicate whether they also wish to be considered for the COMBAR scholarship.
Rosalind Phelps QC, member of COMBAR’s equality and diversity committee, and the commercial barrister responsible for the scheme, said: “Our aim is to ensure that the commercial Bar continues to thrive by attracting the best people from as wide a range of backgrounds as possible. We hope that this scheme will help to open up the profession to some of those who might not previously have considered it.”
