Thanks to the commitment and generosity of its supporters, the Kalisher Scholarship Trust can make a real difference by greatly reducing the financial hardship placed on students starting out at the Criminal Bar.
The 2009 Kalisher Scholar was William Hotham. You can read more on what the Kalisher Scholarship meant to William here.
Where Are They Now?
Lucy Leader won the scholarship in 2002 whilst undertaking the BVC at Cardiff University. She was called to the Bar in October 2002 and practises from Angel Chambers in Swansea, specialising in Family, Employment and Civil Law.
She writes:
The scholarship confirmed that I could expel the perception that the Bar was only open to those from a more privileged background. As a proud member of the working class from the Welsh valleys communities, I had doubted whether I could ever have a career at the Bar. The scholarship opened doors, alleviated the inevitable financial strain and gave me the confidence to believe that I was welcome in a profession that is in reality both diverse and inclusive.
Andrew Sugarman studied the BVC at the Inns of Court School of Law and won the Scholarship in 2001.
Now practising from Parklane Plowden Chambers in Leeds, he recalls his experience of winning the award:
I am not quite sure how I would have survived without the Scholarship. It is a pity that there are not more like it so that those who are vocationally able but put off by the expense are assisted as I was. The Bar would benefit from that diversity.
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James Haskell was awarded the Scholarship in 2004 and now practises from Guildhall Chambers in Bristol, specialising in Criminal Law.
He writes:
Whilst securing pupillage is fiercely competitive, the high cost of legal training can easily become a further disincentive in pursuing a career at the Bar. The Kalisher Scholarship provided me with significant financial support, in a climate where practitioners at the junior Criminal Bar now endure obscene financial pressure.
The Scholarship renewed my sense of determination and provided a vital boost of confidence, at a time when twelve months of rejection had taken its toll. It was no coincidence that having won the Scholarship, my interview technique became more proficient and several offers of pupillage soon followed.
Tom Stevens was chosen as the Kalisher Scholar in 2008, following completion of his course at Nottingham Law School.
He went on to work for the Ministry of Justice and ran a series of Secondary School workshops on Criminal Justice before starting his pupillage at QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers in October 2009.
Tom writes:
The money I received from the Kalisher Trust has not only helped me to clear some of the debt I accrued during the course of my legal training, it has also enabled me to invest in my future at the criminal bar. For example, I was able to buy my own wig and gown for my Call ceremony at Middle Temple and purchase a number of legal texts to help me prepare for pupillage. I am hugely thankful for the invaluable assistance the Kalisher scholarship has given me.
The first ever Kalisher Scholar, David Chidgey, who won the Scholarship whilst at Nottingham Law School in 2000 practises from Albion Chambers in Bristol specialising in criminal work and asset forfeiture proceedings. He is the author of the Forfeiture section in Jordan’s “Magistrates’ Courts Criminal Practice.”
He writes:
Receiving the Kalisher Scholarship still ranks as one of the high points in my professional life. To be told, when you are on the verge of going to the bank, that you are going to be able to afford the cost of the bar course without incurring further debt is very uplifting. When I was told that I had the scholarship I was also told that I was not to tell anyone. Feeling as chuffed as I did that was a real challenge. I will always be thankful for the generosity of Michael Kalisher QC, those who administer the trust and those who donated to it. More...