Government Legal Profession’s Diversity Summer Scheme Reaches Record Numbers

The Society of Asian Lawyers is proud to have collaborated with the Government Legal Profession (“GLP”) in bringing the Diversity Summer Scheme to its student members. The Diversity Summer Scheme took place between 7 – 11 July 2025 with the aim to provide work experience to undergraduates or graduates from diverse backgrounds which are currently underrepresented across the legal profession.

The Society of Asian Lawyers partnered with the GLP alongside other leading diversity organisations including Aspiring Solicitors, Black Lawyers Circle, the Social Mobility Foundation and The Sutton Trust.

The 2025 Scheme saw the GLP and its partners deliver its most ambitious Diversity Summer Scheme to date, welcoming approximately 500 university students across five locations – London, Leeds, Bristol, Manchester, and online. The Scheme offered students unprecedented access to the public legal sector. The programme’s expansion saw 134 students attend in-person sessions in London alone, alongside paralegals who joined selected activities.

Immersive Experiences Beyond the Classroom

Students did not just hear about legal careers – they experienced them first-hand. The programme featured exclusive visits to the National Cyber Security Centre, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, GCHQ, and various courts. In Manchester, participants engaged directly with a Judge at the Civil Justice Centre before touring GCHQ and concluding with a debate that tested their newly acquired skills.

Bristol’s offerings included speed networking events, CV workshops at commercial law firms and candid conversations with paralegals, whilst London participants met the Solicitor General and benefited from one-on-one mentorship through the GLP ‘buddy’ scheme.

Real Impact, Real Results

The Scheme’s success resonated with the students with many praising the “candour and genuine, practical advice” received.

Avni Cheema, who attended in-person in London through the Society of Asian Lawyers, shared her thoughts:

What are your thoughts on the Scheme?

“As someone who is unsure of their future career path, this Scheme was a great way to gain valuable insights into the field of law, whilst engaging with students from a range of ethnic and academic backgrounds.”

Was the Scheme helpful?

“Yes, the Scheme was very helpful for someone with little prior knowledge of the legal sector.”

What insights did you gain?

“The Scheme helped me to explore different areas of law, from corporate to employment law, to assess which field interests me most. The Scheme also enhanced my understanding of the application processes for different legal roles within the GLP.”

Has the experience helped you in planning your future career in law?

“Although I am still unsure if law is the right future career for me, I definitely feel more confident in my ability to apply to this field if I were to enter the legal sector.”

What was the highlight for you?

“My highlight was networking with fellow students and GLP employees, which taught me the variety of pathways people have taken to enter the legal sector. I also enjoyed visiting the GCHQ office on the final day of the scheme, where we learnt about national security litigation.”

Any other comments?

“I am grateful for the Society of Asian Lawyers for providing this incredible opportunity to help support the careers of young Asian students and champion greater diversity in the workplace.”

The Society of Asian Lawyers’ President, Muntech Kaur commented, “the Society of Asian Lawyers are very proud to be involved in the GLP Summer Scheme over the years and to help many students to not only secure a level of work experience but the rare opportunity to experience the same in a highly selective public legal sector. We had a phenomenal number of applicants for 2025 and anticipate that we shall have equal, if not more, applying for 2026. I also wish to extend our gratitude to our immediate past President, Ranjit Sond for his assistance during the 2025 Scheme.”

The 2026 Scheme will be running again in July 2026 and student members of Society of Asian Lawyers will be able to apply for a place very soon.

Further details to follow shortly.