Honourable Society Of Lincoln's Inn Educational Awards Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £180,877 (charity income 2024)
• Total Scholarship Pool: Over £2 million annually (across all Lincoln's Inn scholarship programs)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (application to notification)
• Grant Range: £500 - £21,000 per award
• Geographic Focus: UK students studying law (with some international scholarships)

Contact Details

Address: The Treasury Office, Lincoln's Inn, London, WC2A 3TL

Phone: 020 7693 5113

Email: accounts@lincolnsinn.org.uk

Website: www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/scholarships-prizes

Scholarships Coordinator: Aisha Modeste-Simon

Overview

The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn Educational Awards Fund (Charity No. 1102415) was established to advance the education of students and pupil barristers of Lincoln's Inn in the field of law. The charity operates alongside a sister charity, the Denning Fund (Charity No. 1102414), and contributes on average 4% of its capital value to the overall provision of scholarships at Lincoln's Inn. With an income of £180,877 and expenditure of £140,886 in 2024, the fund supports young men and women studying for and starting to practice in legal professions who need financial support from sources other than public funds and family money. The fund focuses on the years when students need the most financial support: the common professional examination, bar vocational course, and pupillage years. Lincoln's Inn, one of the four historic Inns of Court, distributes over £2 million annually across all its scholarship programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bar Course Scholarships (£1,730,500 annually available)

• 130 scholars awarded in 2024
• Maximum award: £21,000 (2024)
• Lord Mansfield Scholarships: Most prestigious, up to 10 awards
• Major Scholarships: Including Lord Denning, Marchant and Tancred Scholarships
• Minor Scholarships: Various named awards
• All awarded on merit with means-tested financial values
• Scholars benefit from reduced qualifying session fees, free admission to the Inn, and no Call to the Bar fee
• Student accommodation in London may be offered as part of scholarship package (rent deducted from award)

Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) Scholarships (£165,000 annually available)

• Up to 32 scholarships for non-law graduates of outstanding ability
• 33 GDL scholars awarded in 2023
• Awarded on merit with means-tested values

Pupillage Grants (£65,000 annually available)

• Available only to those with combined chambers award/guaranteed earnings under £25,000 per year
• Exceptional circumstances may be considered
• Two application windows from 2024: up to 3 months before start date or during pupillage
• Value calculated by financial means test

Mini-Pupillage Grant Scheme

• Financial support for travel, accommodation, and clothing allowance
• Maximum grant: £500
• Intended for students who would otherwise be unable to undertake mini-pupillages
• Value calculated based on anticipated expenses

Helen Grindrod Social Mobility Prize

• For law students meeting one or more social mobility criteria

Neuberger Prize

• Annual award established in 2015
• For undergraduate students starting final year of qualifying law degree
• For students at non-Russell Group universities

Priority Areas

• Legal education and training
• Bar vocational training
• Support for aspiring barristers during pupillage
• Access to the profession for students from diverse financial backgrounds
• Social mobility in the legal profession

What They Don't Fund

• Part-time students may only receive one scholarship (cannot apply for both years)
• Students can only apply to one Inn of Court for scholarships (names are shared between Inns to prevent multiple applications)
• Not available to students with substantial family or public funding support
• General living costs beyond the scholarship award period

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Governance and Leadership

The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is governed by the Council of Lincoln's Inn, comprised of all Benchers of the Inn.

Key Leadership (2025):

• Treasurer: The Hon Sir Paul Morgan (Called to Bar 1975, took Silk 1992, former High Court Judge in Chancery Division)
• Under Treasurer/Chief Executive: Emma Hopkins OBE (appointed September 2025, leads professional team of over 150 employees, responsible for all facets of the Inn's organisation and operation)
• Keeper of the Library: Elspeth Talbot Rice KC
• Keeper of the Black Book and Dean of Chapel: Michael Todd KC

Education Governance:

• Pre-Call Education Committee: Oversees outreach, admission, education and training, and Call to the Bar for students
• Post-Call Education Committee: Oversees advocacy and ethics training for pupils and new practitioners

The Treasurer, The Hon Sir Paul Morgan, stated about Emma Hopkins' appointment: “Emma has the wide range of skills and qualities which make her an excellent appointee as our next Under Treasurer.”

Educational Awards Fund Trustees: 4 trustees oversee the charity, with no trustees receiving remuneration and no employees with benefits over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Bar Course Scholarships:

1. Apply online through Lincoln's Inn's dedicated scholarship portal
2. Two academic references required (one must be academic unless graduated over 5 years ago)
3. References must be uploaded before form submission
4. Application deadline: 15:00 Friday 31 October (for following year's Bar Course)
5. NOTE: Lincoln's Inn deadline is one week earlier than other Inns
6. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted
7. Not necessary to join the Inn before applying, but joining is required if scholarship accepted

GDL Scholarships:

1. Online application through same portal
2. Two references required
3. Students recommended to apply in autumn term of third year at university
4. Applications typically close in late October/early November

Pupillage Grants:

1. Two application windows available from 2024
2. Can apply up to 3 months before pupillage start date or during pupillage
3. Must demonstrate combined chambers award/guaranteed earnings under £25,000
4. Exceptional circumstances considered on case-by-case basis

Mini-Pupillage Grants:

1. Apply through Lincoln's Inn portal
2. Submit anticipated expenses (travel, accommodation, clothing)
3. Maximum grant £500

Important Restriction: Applicants can only apply to ONE Inn of Court for scholarships. All applicant names are shared between the Inns to ensure compliance.

Decision Timeline

Bar Course Scholarships:

• Applications close: End of October
• Sifting: Completed by January
• Notification of interview shortlisting: January
• Interviews: February/March (held in London, Birmingham, and Manchester)
• Results notification: By end of April

GDL Scholarships:

• Interview notification: Early June
• Interviews: July (held in London only)
• Results: Summer

Process: After sifting, applicants notified by email whether selected for interview. All notifications sent via email once decisions made.

Success Rates

130 Bar Course scholars awarded in 2024 from total applicant pool (exact number not disclosed). 33 GDL scholars awarded in 2023 from up to 32 available places. Success rates are not publicly disclosed, but there is competitive selection with initial sift before interview stage. Candidates are ranked by score and top-scoring applicants awarded scholarships.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication policy is publicly stated for unsuccessful applicants. However:

• Part-time students who receive a scholarship in first year cannot reapply for second year
• Anecdotal evidence suggests unsuccessful applicants can and do reapply in subsequent years with some achieving success
• Applications for Bar Course from previous GDL scholarship applicants are not compared, and similarities will not be noted or penalized
• For specific guidance, contact Scholarships Coordinator Aisha Modeste-Simon

Application Success Factors

Interview Format:

• Panel of three members of the Inn (chaired by Bencher or senior member)
• Approximately 20 minutes duration
• 5-minute presentation on law reform required on any area of choice at end of interview
• Held in London, Birmingham, or Manchester for Bar Course (applicants can indicate preference)

What the Panel Looks For:

Lincoln's Inn states: “They are not looking for the finished product - they are looking for people who will in a few years time shine as barristers of the future.” The panel assesses prospects for the wider bar as custodians of large sums of money, not fit for specific chambers.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Intellectual attainment as evidenced by academic results
• Merit-based assessment (financial value separate from merit ranking)
• Understanding of chosen area of law practice
• Insight into day-to-day work of practitioners in chosen area
• Genuine motivation for coming to the Bar

Presentation Strategy:

• Deliver points logically in submission-based manner
• Don't pick something easy - use law reform presentation as opportunity to express genuine desired change in legal system
• Demonstrates motivations and values to panel

Preparation Advice:

• Print and re-read application form multiple times before interview
• Bring copy to interview to review beforehand
• Arrive early to find location, calm nerves, and review materials
• Prepare to explain why you want to be a barrister and your chosen practice area
• Demonstrate basic appreciation of what practitioners do day-to-day in your area

Managing Expectations:

Applicants report that interviews may feel challenging, but perceived poor performance doesn't always correlate with results. One successful named scholarship recipient thought they had “flunked” their interview but was still awarded a major scholarship.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Merit First: All scholarships awarded on merit regardless of financial value - top-scoring applicants receive awards, with means testing only determining the amount
• Single Application Rule: Can only apply to ONE Inn of Court - choose carefully as names are shared between all four Inns
• Early Deadline: Lincoln's Inn deadline is one week earlier than other Inns (end of October) - plan accordingly
• Interview is Critical: Initial sift leads to interview, where 5-minute law reform presentation is required - prepare thoroughly and authentically
• Academic Excellence Essential: Intellectual attainment evidenced by academic results is key criterion
• Join Early: While not required to join before applying, engaging with Lincoln's Inn through qualifying sessions and events demonstrates commitment
• Financial Need Matters for Amount Only: Merit determines if you get a scholarship; means test determines how much (up to £21,000)
• Long-term Thinking: Panel looks for future barrister potential, not finished product - show growth potential and genuine commitment

References

1. Charity Commission Register of Charities, "Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn Educational Awards Fund - 1102415", https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1102415&subid=0, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, "Scholarships & Prizes", https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/scholarships-prizes/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, "The Inn's Charities", https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/about-us/the-inns-charities/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, “Bar Course Scholarships”, https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/scholarships-prizes/bar-professional-training-course/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, “Graduate Diploma in Law Scholarships”, https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/scholarships-prizes/graduate-diploma-in-law/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, “Pupils”, https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/scholarships-prizes/pupils/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, “FAQs”, https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/scholarships-prizes/faqs/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, “Governance”, https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/about-us/governance/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, “Committees”, https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/about-us/governance/committees/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, “Who We Are”, https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, "Lincoln's Inn appoints new Under Treasurer", https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/news/lincolns-inn-appoints-new-under-treasurer/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. Lincoln's Inn, “Bar Course Scholarships – applications open”, https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/news/bar-course-scholarships-applications-open/, accessed 29 December 2024

1. LawCareers.Net, "Lincoln's Inn", https://www.lawcareers.net/Barristers/Inns-of-Court-Scholarships/Lincolns-Inn, accessed 29 December 2024

1. LouisAndTheLaw, “Inn of Court Scholarship Interview Advice”, https://louisandthelaw.com/2025/01/20/inn-of-court-scholarship-interview-advice/, accessed 29 December 2024