About The Kalisher Scholarship Trust
As competition for entry to the Criminal Bar increases, Andrew Hall QC talks about an unique charity aimed at talented young barristers;
The Kalisher Scholarship, which was set up in 1996 in memory of Michael Kalisher Q.C., is dedicated to helping talented students who might otherwise be unable to come to the Bar due to financial constraints. The aim of our scholarship is to support at least one student every year by paying the costs of his or her Bar Professional Training Course. In addition, we provide a variety of bursaries throughout the year, which range from a copy of Archbold to a £5,000 essay prize. Our mission is to encourage and support talented students who would otherwise find the costs of training for the Criminal Bar prohibitive.
The Scholarship is run on a rotational basis – we fund one student every year, taken from each of the BTPC providers in turn. Since 2000 we have given scholarships to ten students, enabling them to fund their courses, selecting our winner in partnership with the BPTC providers. We are immensely proud to be able to support the future talent of the Criminal Bar, and keep the memory of Michael Kalisher Q.C, who was such a special barrister, alive through our work. In keeping with Michael’s approach to life, our winners must not only demonstrate outstanding ability, but also good humour – something they will need as they embark on a career at the Bar.
Entry to the Criminal Bar remains as competitive – if not more competitive – than it ever has been. Costs for prospective barristers are spiralling, and debt is probably the main deterrent standing in the way of promising candidates considering whether to embark on a criminal pupillage. The Trustees of the Kalisher Scholarship have found that it is by no means unusual for students to have debts of over £25,000 by the end of their BTPC year, before they have even begun pupillage. Around 2,000 students complete the BTPC course every year, of which only 500 will go on to win a pupillage. It is also worth noting that even once a student has begun his or her pupillage, there is no guarantee that he or she will then receive a tenancy. Given the fierce level of competition, it is unsurprising that talented students may reject the Bar if they feel that the level of financial commitment is too high. Many will reconsider a career at the Criminal Bar when faced with the competition for pupillages and the consequent risk that they will have committed years of their life, not to mention significant amounts of money, only to miss out on tenancy. The Scholarship therefore works to ensure that talent reaches the Bar, strengthening its offering to consumers, regardless of the financial constraints on our aspiring barristers.
As the constraints on the legal aid budget increase, the pressures on the Criminal Bar, particularly at the junior end, are ever-increasing. Given this, the Scholarship’s work to support students and young barristers is vital. Attracting and retaining the brightest and best is an ongoing struggle which we should all support; barristers work in the public interest. Future members of the judiciary are also, of course, taken from the Bar. As professionals who serve society’s neediest, it is essential that the Bar reflects the society it serves, while also attracting and retaining the best. I am proud that the Kalisher Scholarship is part of the effort to ensure that the Criminal Bar retains its standards of excellence. Assisting aspiring barristers at what is probably the most crucial part of their career – the path to pupillage and tenancy – is a privilege and a commitment to the future of our profession.
If you would like to download a brochure about the Trust's work, please click here
For additional information and links of historical relevance to The Kalisher Trust, please visit our Resources page.