Applications open for 2026 devilling scholarships

Aspiring advocates are invited to apply for scholarships offered through the Faculty of Advocates, which are aimed at removing barriers to membership of the Scottish Bar.

Those hoping to begin devilling in 2026 should submit their applications by Friday 23 May this year. 

“These scholarships play a significant role in promoting and encouraging diversity at the Bar as well as easing financial tensions during devilling,” said Ruth Crawford KC, Treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates and chair of its Scholarship Committee. “In the last six years, over 80 scholarships have been awarded, with over £500,000 worth of support provided to devils.

 “All applicants must show sufficient ability, but greater weighting is given when awarding the Lord Hope, Faculty, and the SCLR Scholarships to those in financial need or to those from groups currently under-represented,” she added.

The Lord Reid Scholarship is awarded in honour of the late Lord Reid of Drem from a bequest provided by him. One Lord Reid Scholarship is awarded annually to the most outstanding candidate. In recent years, the Lord Reid Scholarship award has been in the region of £10,000.

One or more Faculty Scholarships may also be awarded to candidates of particular merit. In recent years, Faculty Scholarship awards have been in the region of £5,000.

The SCLR Scholarship is funded by the Scottish Council of Law Reporting and is administered by the Faculty’s Scholarship Committee. This scholarship is valued at £6,000 and is awarded to a single recipient each year.

The Lord Hope Scholarships are funded by contributions made by existing members of Faculty. The principal focus of the Lord Hope Scholarships is to assist candidates who may be prevented from devilling if they do not have access to financial support. The size and number of Lord Hope Scholarships depends on the need and number of eligible applicants but, often, around eight to 10 scholarship awards have been made for amounts ranging between £3,000 and £10,000.

The current Lord Reid recipient, Tony Convery, said: “Having practised as a solicitor, it was something of a daunting prospect to give up paid work for nine months to undertake devilling. The scholarship was really helpful in making that financially possible.”

Aimée Doran received a Lord Hope Scholarship. “The scholarship has not only alleviated the financial burden of pursuing a career at the Bar but it has truly enabled me to devil,” she said.

“Without it, I wouldn’t be here. It has opened doors to valuable connections, resources, and experiences that have significantly enriched my professional growth.

“One particularly significant benefit of the scholarship has been its support in mitigating the logistical and financial challenges associated with living outside of Edinburgh. The concentration of essential training, the location of the courts, and the proximity of my devilmasters in Edinburgh necessitate frequent travel. Residing outside the city, these trips inevitably incur substantial travel expenses, including transportation, accommodation, and subsistence,” added Ms Doran.

Fellow devil Kevin Jarvis, who also received a Lord Hope Scholarship, said it has allowed him to “properly budget for living costs and expenses while devilling, which has meant I can focus more effectively on the devilling process, without worrying about financial matters.

“I would recommend applying for a scholarship, as it is a straightforward, simple application process that can lead to significant assistance in being able to commence a career at the Bar,” he added.

Click here for more information on the devilling scholarships and how to apply. The cut-off date for applications is Friday 23 May 2025.

A webinar will be held on Zoom on Wednesday 30 April at 8pm where attendees can hear about how the application process works and direct questions to the members of Faculty’s Scholarship Committee. Dean of Faculty, Roddy Dunlop KC, will open the event and prospective applicants can participate anonymously. Anyone who would like to receive joining details for this webinar can RSVP to admissions@advocates.org.uk