3VB is delighted to participate in the COMBAR Mentoring Scheme for Under-Represented Groups – Now Open for Applications

3VB is delighted to participate again in COMBAR’s annual mentoring scheme for applicants from groups who are under-represented at the Bar. The scheme, a continuation and expansion of a prior scheme founded by 3VB and five other Commercial sets in 2020, is an important part of 3VB’s commitment to improving access and diversity in the legal profession, and has already helped hundreds of students.

“3VB is a strong supporter of this excellent and thoughtful scheme which gives real one-to-one help to those from under-represented backgrounds and groups who might otherwise be put off, or not sufficiently put on to, the opportunities at the Bar. We look forward to mentoring another cohort of excellent students this year.” Ewan McQuater QC and Adrian Beltrami QC, 3VB’s Heads of Chambers

The scheme pairs successful eligible candidates with practitioners for a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions. COMBAR also hopes to organise a pupillage interview and application workshop and a social event, to which all mentors and mentees will be invited, in early 2023.

In order to ensure that as diverse a pool of potential applicants is reached as possible, COMBAR will advertise the scheme through the careers departments of all English and Welsh universities with a law department, together with a number of universities in Scotland and Ireland, third sector organisations such as the Social Mobility Foundation and Sutton Trust, and commercial publications such as Legal Cheek.

Applicants will be assessed by reference to their need for mentoring and their potential to pursue a career at the Bar. A deliberate decision has been taken to give equal weighting to both of these criteria to help ensure that the scheme reaches talented applicants from the most under-represented groups who would benefit most from mentoring and guidance.

Applicants wishing to participate in the scheme are requested to complete the online application form. Application forms must be received by 4pm on Friday 16 September 2022.  It is hoped that applicants will be informed whether or not they have been accepted onto the scheme during October 2022.

Full details of the scheme can be found in the Scheme Guidelines. Any other questions should be directed to socialmobility@combar.com.