Major Scholarships:
Graduate Diploma in Law (or equivalent conversion course) 2016-17
Information for Applicants
General
The Middle Temple interviews every applicant for a scholarship who has obtained a place on the GDL and satisfies the criteria for applications. Decisions on who receives a scholarship are made on merit as outlined by these criteria:
a) Intellectual ability:
the ability to conduct legal research and give written advice, as demonstrated by performance in school and university examinations, the interview and, where appropriate, other experience;
b) Motivation to succeed at the Bar:
knowledge of the profession and the Courts, and steps taken to acquire the personal skills required of a Barrister;
c)Potential as an advocate:
both in oral and written skills;
d) Personal qualities:
those required by members of the Bar include self-reliance, independence, integrity, reliability, and the capacity to work effectively with clients, colleagues and chambers staff.
In determining the size of individual awards, interviewing panels take applicants’ individual financial circumstances into account, although it is highly unlikely that the scholarship will cover the full cost of your year attending the GDL. The size of individual awards will not be published.
Please note that you can only apply to one Inn. You do not need to be a member of the Inn at the time of application, but you will need to join before being paid any scholarship which you may be awarded.
Part time students can apply for a scholarship either before the first or before the second year. If an award is made before the start of the part-time course, half of the award will be paid in each year. Full time students have to apply before they begin the course. Applications cannot be made once the full-time course or the second year of the part-time course has begun.
The Application
To make your application, please complete and return the attached form in hard copy by 4.00 pm on Friday 6thMay 2016. Please follow the instructions on the application form carefully. Do not submit a CV or certificates with your application. If you are posting a hard copy close to the closing date it is advisable to submit a copy by email as well (see below).
Financial means – Please read the section on completing your financial means form on the following page. If the figures change between now and April please bring an updated financial overview, using the same template, to the interview.
Applications by emailto ll be accepted before expiry of the closing date. Applicants will, however, need to submit an identical signed hard copy as soon as practicable and in any case no later than 13thMay 2016.
You will receive confirmation of receipt of the hard copy of your application by email. If you do not receive an email within 2 weeks of submitting your application, please contact us. It is your responsibility to ensure your application is received on time. If in doubt email a copy to the address above and you will receive an automated confirmation email.
Completing your financial means form
The financial means form is intended to help the panel assess your finances during the year(s) you are studying the GDL. The information you provide will be treated in strict confidence and in accordance with the Inn’s data protection policies and procedures. Please read the following guidelines carefully before completing the form.
- It is important that all information given is accurate. Verification may be requested if required.
- If there is any relevant information that does not fall into one of the specific categories, please use the rows marked *, specifying what the additional item is.
- Please ensure that you complete the form in full. Provide as much information as possible. Please note that if this form isn’t completed fully, your application may not be processed.
- If you will be studying on the FULL-TIME course, complete this form for the 11 months that you will be on the course (i.e. September 2016 to July 2017).
- If you will be studying on the PART-TIME course, complete this form for the 23 months that you will be on the course (i.e. September 2016 to July 2018 or September 2015 to July 2017).
- The form asks you for some information about where you will be based during the year(s) that you will be studying the course. You are not obligated to stick with the choices you put down here; they simply provide the panel with the circumstances on which you have based your budget.
Anticipated Expenses
- There will be some expenses that you will know for certain, but the majority are likely to be an estimate. We expect you to provide reasonable/realistic figures.
- If there are valid reasons for a figure being more than might normally be expected of the average student’s budget, please include a brief note in the column provided. The panel may then ask for further explanation or clarification, if required.
For example, your food costs may be high because you also have to pay for your child(ren)’s food.
Anticipated Income
- As with expenses, some of your income may only be estimates, but please try to be as accurate as possible.
- Please make sure that what you include under ‘financial contribution from family or other sources’ corresponds with what you have included as expenses.
For example, if your parents have agreed to contribute towards your living expenses, it is best to complete your ‘anticipated expenses’ table with accurate costs for the year, and then enter the corresponding figure that your parents are paying towards those expenses in the ‘anticipated income’ table. However, if you do not have a figure to pay for rent because you will be living at home, simply enter ‘£0’ under ‘rent’ with a note to explain why.
Existing Indebtedness
- Include any debts that you currently have and when you are due to start paying them back, e.g. student loans, any other loans, etc.
Anticipated Indebtedness
- You should include any proposed bank loans that you may be taking out to fund the year(s) on the course.
Assets
Include any assets that you have. If any of these assets are shared between yourself and your partner/spouse, or anyone else, then please only include figures for your share.
The References
Two references are required to support your application, one of which must be from an academicreferee. Neither may be supplied by a member of your close family. If you have difficulties obtaining an academic reference before the closing date, please contact the Scholarships Officer.
This application bundle contains an information sheet for you to send to each of your referees, explaining the criteria which the Inn takes into account when awarding scholarships to prospective students. References should address these criteria as fully as possible.
References must be submitted directly by the referees, either in hard copy or by email to by Friday13th May 2016.
No award will be paid out unless two references have been received. It is your responsibility to ensure that these are provided – we do not contact referees on your behalf. You will receive confirmation of receipt of each reference by email.
The Interview
All candidates who satisfy the application criteria and have EITHER(i) been offered either an unconditional/conditional place on the GDL or equivalent conversion courseOR (ii) have an application for a course pending will be interviewed during the period of 23rd and 24th June 2016, and on those dates only.
The Inn is prepared to reimburse your travel expenses to attend your interview, up to a maximum of £65 per candidate. Please note that reimbursement will only be permitted to candidates travelling from outside the M25, by coach or train. Receipts must be provided. Further details are available on the Middle Temple website. Expense forms will be available in the interview waiting room.
Overview of Relevant Dates
If you do not receive one of the emails detailed below it is your responsibility to contact us. If you change your email address, please make sure you let us know.
4.00pm, Friday 6th May 2016 / Closing date for submission of application. Confirmation of receipt will be sent by email.Friday 13th May 2016 / Closing date for submission of references. Confirmation of receipt will be sent by email.
By Friday 3rd June 2016 / Notification of interview date and time will be sent by email.
Thursday 23th- Friday 24thJune 2016 / Interviews – you must be available to attend an interview on at least one of these dates.
By Friday 15thJuly 2016 / Notification of outcome will be sent by email.
Applications and references should to be posted to:
GDL Scholarship Applications
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Treasury Office, Ashley Building, London
EC4Y 9BT
If you have any questions please contact the Scholarships Officer, Sally Yorke, on or 020 7427 4800.
Please keep a copy of your completed application as well as this document for your information and further reference
Director of Education Services
Treasury Office
Middle Temple Lane
London
EC4Y 9BT
T 020 7427 4800
Major Scholarships:
Graduate Diploma in Law (or equivalent conversion course) 2016-17
Information for Referees
Your reference is to support an application for a scholarship for the Graduate Diploma in Law (or equivalent conversion course). The applicant in whose support you are writing will in due course be interviewed by a panel of three senior members of the Inn (barristers and judges).
In allocating a scholarship, the interviewing panel will look for the attributes which make a good barrister. It would assist them if your reference could broadly follow the criteria which the Inn has in mind when awarding scholarships to prospective students. They are:
a) Intellectual ability:
the ability to conduct legal research and give written advice, as demonstrated by performance in school and university examinations, the interview and, where appropriate, other experience;
b) Motivation to succeed at the Bar:
knowledge of the profession and the Courts, and steps taken to acquire the personal skills required of a Barrister, will be taken into account;
c)Potential as an advocate,
both in oral and written skills;
d) Personal qualities:
those required by members of the Bar include self-reliance, independence, integrity, reliability, and the capacity to work effectively with clients, colleagues and chambers staff.
Please note that the interviewing panel may raise at interview any topic of potential relevance contained in your reference. Should this give you any cause for concern, please contact me.
Your reference should ideally be written on your letterhead (professional, where at all possible), and can be sent either by email to or in hard copy to the address below. If you are emailing your reference please send it as an attachment. I would be grateful if your reference could reach us by Friday 13thMay 2016.
Please note that no award will be made unless a candidate supplies two references, of which yours is one.
With thanks for your assistance,
Christa Richmond
Director of Education Services
References should ideally be emailed to (preferably as an attachment). You will receive an automated confirmation email if your reference has been received by email. If you don’t receive this, your reference has not been delivered.
If you prefer to send a hard copy please post it to GDL Scholarship References, The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, Treasury Office, Ashley Building, London, EC4Y 9BT
Application Form for Middle Temple Scholarships
Graduate Diploma in Law (or equivalent course) 2016-17
Please type in the boxes below usingArial font size 11 pt.
Do not complete by hand
Title (e.g. Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr)First Name
Middle Name(s)
Surname
Permanent (Home) Address
Postcode
Phone Number
Current Address
(if different from the address above)
Postcode
Phone Number
If applicable, date you will move out of this address upon graduating (month/year)
Email Address
(please provide a personal email address rather than a university or work email, which can expire)
Mobile Phone Number
The information provided in response to the following three questions is required purely for administrative purposes and has no bearing on the selection process.
Are you already a Student Member of the Middle Temple? / YES ☐NO ☐
If you are, what is your membership number?
Are you applying for the fulltime or parttime GDL? / FULL TIME ☐PART TIME ☐
Please provide the start and end dates of your GDL
(e.g. 2016-2018 or 2016-2017 etc.)
School and/ or Sixth-Form College (Please name institute and city/ town and dates*)
GCSE or ‘O’ and ‘A’ level results or equivalent, dates, subjects and grades
Date* / Qualification / Subject / Grade
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Study
If you have not yet completed your degree, please provide details below and write ‘N/A’ under Grade
University / Date* / Degree
(e.g. LLB Hons) / Subject / Grade
Please include details of all modules/examinations to date for your Undergraduate Degree
e.g. Land Law: 72%
Trusts and Equity: 52% etc.
First year / Second year / Third year
Achievements, Interests and Activities (max 250 words)
Any Other Occupation, Employment or Training Experience, with dates*(max 250 words)
Mini-Pupillages, Court Visits, Mooting/ Debating etc. (Max 250 words)
*We use this information to assess applicants’ progress through academic development.
You are not under any obligation to supply dates.
The following questions are designed to assist those interviewing you in identifying areas upon which they may focus.
What question would you most like the panel to ask you?
Give an example of when you have demonstrated integrity.(Max 200 words)
Give an example of a situation when you had to overcome adversity or disadvantage.
(Max 200 words)
What do you think your greatest strength is, which will enable you to succeed at the Bar?
(Max 200 words)
What is a weakness you would need to overcome in order to become a good barrister?
(Max 200 words)
If, having completed this form, you consider that there is something about your existing or anticipated financial position that has been missed, please provide that information below.
Is there any other information you would like to provide in support of your application not covered elsewhere on this form?
Certain conditions are attached to some of our awards. To assist us with allocating those, please indicate YES / NO to the questions below.
NB: Not meeting these criteria will not preclude you from being awarded a scholarship; it merely precludes you from being awarded certain named awards.
- I am a graduate / undergraduate of Christ Church, Oxford.
- I was born and / or am resident in Jersey.
- I was mainly educated in the State School Sector.
Do you hold a UK or EU passport?
(If NO, please answer the following questions) / YES ☐NO ☐
For applicants who do not hold a UK or EU passport
Do you currently have a visa to live and study in the UK? / YES ☐NO ☐
- When does this visa expire? (Please supply a copy with your application)
Would you have restrictions to work in the UK after completing your studies? / YES ☐NO ☐
If YES, what type of visa application do you intend to make to enable you to practise at the Bar of England and Wales?
Page 1Please initial here:
FINANCIAL MEANS DURING THE COURSE
Please read the separate guidance sheet before filling in this form. Complete this form in pounds sterling. Ensure the form remains on two pages in total.
Title: / Course provider:First name: / Duration of course (1 year or 2 years):
Surname: / Town/city you will live in (for the duration of the course):
Anticipated Expenses
Monthly Cost / Total Cost
(for course duration) / Any relevant notes / For office use only
Course fee
Mortgage payments
Rent payments
Food
Share of household bills
(gas, electricity, telephone etc.)
Household items/ personal/ clothes
Books/ equipment/ course materials
Inn expenses (admission fee andqualifying sessions)
Travel to attend Inn events (if studyingGDL outside of London)
Travel expenses (other)
Entertainment
Childcare
*
*
TOTAL
Full name:
Anticipated Income
Monthly Income / Total Income
(for course duration) / Any relevant notes / For office use only
Earnings from work
Drawing down from savings
Interest from savings/ investments
Financial or other material contributions from family or any other sources
Any other scholarships
Draw down from pupillage award
*
*
TOTAL
Please calculate your shortfall
(Total Expenses minusTotal Income) / £ / For office use only
Existing Indebtedness / Any Anticipated Indebtedness
Amount / Due date / Amount / Due Date
Student Loans / Proposed bank loan(s)
* / *
* / *
TOTAL / TOTAL
Assets / For office use only
Amount
Property
Savings
Investments
*
TOTAL
Page 1Please initial here:
Once you have fully completed all of the relevant sections above, please follow the instructions below. Failure to do so may result in your application not being processed.
- Please make sure your Financial Means form keeps tothe two pages provided. If you need to delete the instructions at the top of that page for it to fit, please do so.
- Print ONE COPY of the document, excluding the 4 pages of instructions at the beginning. You must print it SINGLE-SIDED. Please note - the interview panel receives copies of your form rather than the original, so you can print it in black and white on basic plain white paper.
- Write your initials, BY HAND, on the bottom of every page, where indicated.
- Read the declaration below, then sign and date BY HAND.
- Post to the address provided in the instructions. (Submit a copy by email if you are applying close to the deadline).
DECLARATION
Please tick each box to confirm you have read and understood each statement, then sign and date the declaration.
By signing this document;
☐ I confirm that I have initialled each page of this application by hand
☐ I declare that the above particulars are true in all respects
☐ I confirm that it is my intention to undertake pupillage at the Bar of England and Wales
☐ I confirm that it is my intention to practice at the Bar of England and Wales
☐ I declare that I have read and understood the document entitled “Major Scholarships: Graduate Diploma in Law (or equivalent conversion course) 2016-17Information for Applicants”
☐ I confirm that I am not a member, nor have I submitted an application for membership, of another Inn of Court
☐ I confirm that I have not applied, nor do I intend to apply, to another Inn of Court for a GDL scholarship for the academic year 2016-17
Signature……………………………………………………………
Date………………………
The personal data provided on this form, together with your references, will be used for the purpose of considering your application for a scholarship. Your personal data will be retained or destroyed in accordance with the Inn‘s policies, as amended from time to time. The result of your scholarship interview will be recorded on your Middle Temple record if you are a member at the time of applying or are admitted as a member subsequently. Details of the personal data processing carried out by the Inn and your rights in respect of that processing can be found on the website at .