Two aspiring barristers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds will be provided with financial, educational and professional support under a fellowship announced today by the Bar of Ireland.
The “Denham Fellowship” includes waived law library fees, remission of fees to the Barrister-at-Law degree programme at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns (HSKI) , and an annual stipend of €6,000 for 5 years minimum for accommodation and living expenses.
The fellowship will also assign three mentors to each Denham Fellow – one from the judiciary, one senior member of the Bar of Ireland, and one junior member of the Bar of Ireland. Support will also be provided in locating a Master for each year of devilling.
Barrister Sara Moorhead, who initiated the idea of a fellowship, said: “as with many professions, becoming a barrister can be a daunting prospect for students if they don’t have the necessary support and we hope that, through the financial, educational and professional supports offered in this fellowship, we will be opening a door that otherwise may have appeared closed.”
Chief Justice Mrs Susan Denham, from whom the fellowship gets its name, praised the Bar of Ireland and the King’s Inns for this “fantastic, life changing opportunity for students who want to pursue a career as a barrister but may not have the financial means to do so”.
Applications for the Fellowships open in March and the first two successful applications will commence the degree programme in October 2017.
