A new scholarship for aspiring social welfare solicitors in the North East of England has been launched to honour Stephen Denyer (pictured), former director of strategic relationships at the Law Society.
The Stephen Denyer Scholarship plans to support four individuals through their SQE1 and SQE2 qualifications, with one scholarship available per year.
Established by the City of London Law Society (CLLS), the City of London Solicitors Company (CLSC), the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF), and the North East Law Centre (NELC), as well as the Denyer Family, the scheme will be funded by a £50,000 family donation.
The SWSQF has also announced plans to match this pledge and fund an extra candidate per year for the next four years.
The scholarship is available to NELC employees.
Stephen Denyer was a partner in legacy Allen & Overy’s global markets team for 36 years, before retiring in 2014. He then worked with the Law Society, as well as the International Bar Association, where he served as co-chair of the Rule of Law Forum. Denyer passed away at the beginning of 2024, aged 68.
Patrick McCann, chief executive of the City of London Law Society and co-founder of SWSQF, said ‘Stephen was a gentle giant – intelligent, wise, and kind in equal measure. He had a gift for making others feel seen and valued, and for quietly moving mountains on behalf of people and causes he believed in.’
He continued: ‘This Scholarship ensures that his commitment to access to justice, to the North East, and to helping others into the profession will continue to make a difference for years to come.’
Helen Denyer, representative of the Denyer family, added: ‘Stephen cared deeply about increasing access to justice and helping lawyers enter the profession.’
‘Having had his own talent unlocked in the North East at Durham, he would be so pleased that his legacy now helps emerging talent qualify as social welfare solicitors here, using the law in the service of their communities.’
Centre director at the North East Law Centre Michael Fawole said the scholarship ‘will allow us to support and train talented future lawyers who might otherwise never have the opportunity to qualify as social welfare solicitors.
‘It strengthens our mission to widen access to justice across the North East, and we hope that others will be inspired by the Denyer Family’s generosity to help support aspiring social welfare lawyers across the UK.’
This story first appeared on Legal Business.