Bristol Legal SQE Scholarship (The BLS Scholarship) is now open!

Posted on30 June 2025

Purpose: The BLS Scholarship is aimed at helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds living in Bristol and the surrounding area to pursue a career in law.

The predominant objective is to promote social mobility by providing the opportunities to individuals who face obstacles to entering the profession, which arise as a result of their socio-economic status, and who would likely be unable to pursue a career in law without the assistance of a scheme such as The BLS Scholarship.

This may include, for example, first generation university graduates, or first generation to pursue a career in professional services; those estranged from family; those with refugee status etc. Please see our eligibility criteria below for full details.

Through The BLS Scholarship, our aim is to support talented aspiring solicitors to pursue their legal education and careers through initiatives such as:

Solicitor Qualifying Examination (SQE) Preparation Courses.
Invites to Bristol Law Society Networking Events and Training Events.
Offering the chance to be matched with a mentor in a practice area or local firm that interests you (subject to availability).

If you have any further questions please email SQEScholarship@bristollawsociety.com

Partnerships: The BLS Scholarship is provided in partnership with The College of Legal Practice.

Eligibility Criteria: BLS SQE Scholarship Eligibility Criteria (2025)

Application Form: BLS SQE Scholarship Scheme Application Form (2025)

Key Dates:

26 June 2025: Applications Open

11 July 2025: Applications Close

21 July 2025: Shortlisting

04 August 2025: Interviews with Shortlisted Applicants

08 August 2025: Communication of decision to Applicants

06 November 2025: Formal Announcement at the Bristol Legal Awards

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS