Our Aim
Birmingham Law Society (BLS) proudly launched its 2026 Diversity Inclusion Scheme (DIS) on 30th April 2026.
BLS launched its DIS in 2020 in conjunction with the University of Law, Higgs LLP and Gateley Legal. The scheme is aimed at helping talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and under-represented groups to pursue a career in law.
This year the scheme is pleased to be partnering with The University of Law, The College of Legal Practice, Higgs LLP and Devonshires.
Through the DIS 2026, our aim is to support talented, aspiring solicitors to pursue their legal education and careers through:
- Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) scholarships
- Vacation Scheme place
- Work experience placements
- Mentoring
Read more about the 2025 DIS winners here.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Read the full eligibility criteria for 2026 here. If you have any questions, email dis@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk.
HOW TO APPLY?
Apply here by 30th May 2026.
KEY DATES
- 30th April: Applications open for DIS 2026
- 30th May: Applications close for DIS 2026
- June 2026: Shortlisting and interviews
- July 2026: All shortlisted applicants advised whether they have been successful and winners announced
OUR SPONSORS
From our offices in the City of London, Leeds, Birmingham and Colchester, we house all our 350+ partners, solicitors and support colleagues in one ‘hub of expertise’ enabling us to create teams, collaborate with others and deliver high-quality, practical advice using advanced systems and technology. We are highly regarded within both the public and a broad range of private sectors and we are market leading advisers in the social housing arena.
Our culture is defined by our commitment to three core values: clients, community and each other. We deliver outstanding service by understanding our clients’ aims, providing leadership, building long term relationships, and adding value in all we do. We support our communities by reducing our environmental impact, championing our chosen charities, encouraging employee participation in community initiatives, and partnering with clients to create opportunities for those most in need. We support each other by fostering a workplace where people want to work, respecting individual differences, acting with honesty and integrity, and focusing on shared success.
At Devonshires, we are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace that fosters the development of our people, is free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our EDI objectives are rooted in our core values of supporting our people, our clients, and our community.
Building on this commitment, we actively support individuals in taking the next steps in their careers and in widening access to opportunities across the legal sector. We are delighted to be supporting the Birmingham Law Society Diversity Inclusion Scheme 2026 and offering the successful candidates work experience placement opportunities and mentoring.
Our vision is to be the independent regional law firm of choice, recognised for having a positive long-term impact upon its people, its clients, its business partners and its community.
When it comes to our people, the team is everything at Higgs – an environment of sharing and collaboration, and a real sense of loyalty to each other and the firm. That is coupled with a desire for everyone to learn and develop. We are always striving to be better. We enjoy what we do. We are genuinely interested in our clients and want them to feel a part of the firm too.
Our approach to our people draws on enjoyment, health & wellbeing, developing talent, technical excellence, training, reward and recognition.
With over two hundred employees and Members we offer a flexible and unique environment for people to grow their careers. Higgs was recently recognised as Regional Law Firm of the Year by Birmingham Law Society.
As charter signatories to The Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, Higgs LLP are committed to developing a diverse business by engaging with the widest pool of talent and promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Three-quarters of our colleagues identify as female.
Our Inclusion Group empowers our people to participate in networks and activities which celebrate and raise awareness across a range of key areas: LGBTQ+, race, social mobility, visible and invisible disabilities. We engage with the Race and Ethnicity Alliance group at the University of Law to better understand the barriers faced by those looking to join the profession.
73% of the firm attended a non-selective state-run or state-funded school. The firm is a Cornerstone Employer and acts as an ambassador for social mobility, tackling disadvantage and driving better outcomes for young people. We collate our diversity and inclusion figures each year and ensure we measure progress against our targets.
Our mission is to ensure that everyone is empowered to be the best version of themselves and to have a voice which can be shared, heard and respected.
At Higgs we firmly believe that talent and potential are not limited to any particular background or upbringing but to achieve inclusivity, we must go beyond lip service and take concrete action. By participating in the BLS scheme our intention is to continue to bring down barriers and to create opportunities for future lawyers, regardless of their circumstances.
Our Spring Vacation Scheme will take place during March/April. Training contracts will commence in September 2025/2026.
The College of Legal Practice is an accredited postgraduate Law School based in the UK.
Purpose: To help legal professionals reach their unique potential.
Mission: To develop excellent legal professionals through personalised, flexible learning.
Vision: To become your go-to professional practice provider throughout your legal career.
We’re changing the status quo. Designing legal courses around you. Your organisation needs, your personal circumstances, your unique aspirations. We’re helping a more diverse group of individuals access and progress in the legal profession.
Our supervisors are not just passionate about education, they’re also experienced legal practitioners. And they’re just a click away, ready to guide you with one-to-one personal supervision using our flexible online platform.
Whether you’re a student looking to take your skills to the next level, or a legal firm searching for training that aligns with your practice, we can provide a tailored solution.
We’re proud to be different. Proud to be driving change. For more information click here.
The University of Law is one of the UK’s longest-established specialist providers of legal education. We can trace our origins to 1876 with the formation of leading tutorial firm Gibson & Weldon and, in 2016, we opened our leading Business School. In 2006 we were the first-ever independent institution to be granted degree awarding powers and not long after, in 2012, we gained university title. We are at the heart of legal education as the acknowledged leader in innovative, professional legal education for prospective lawyers and professional development training for those already qualified. Over the years, we have worked with many UK law firms to help to meet their training and development needs, with many firms sending their trainee solicitors exclusively to us. We have built our Business School in this same image, with a focus on applied, industry relevant and professional education and training.
We also have many international partnerships that allow us to provide a rounded, global outlook to business and law – and why employers of all types want to meet our students. We are ambitious and growing. In 2019 we opened our first international campus in Hong Kong.
In the same year we launched our 10th UK campus in Nottingham and we continue to grow recruitment into our Business School hub in Berlin. We are driving international growth through new campuses and partnerships. This provides rich opportunities for our students to rotate across our global network and benefit from learning in diverse cultural and business contexts.
Over 300 of our faculty are qualified lawyers and business professionals, and all have extensive practical experience which they are able to pass on to our students. We focus on practice-based training and give our students access to our expert Careers and Employability Service and database as soon as they accept a place with us. Students also benefit from our pioneering and award-winning pro bono programmes, which allow them to gain valuable work experience by helping real clients from the local community.