Bar trainees Emma Faulkner and Georgia Liddle have been announced as the first ever recipients of the Bar of Northern Ireland scholarships, which support students from under-represented backgrounds to complete the barrister programme at IPLS.

In addition, Rosalind (Rosie) Neeson has been awarded the annual Lord Kerr Scholarship, which was created in memory of the late Lord Kerr of Tonaghmore, a Queen’s alumnus and former lord chief justice of Northern Ireland. The scholarship supports aspiring barristers by covering their fees at the IPLS.

Rosie began her career in virology research at Queen’s, followed by business roles within pharmaceuticals and health sciences. Following a break due to caring responsibilities, Rosie decided to pursue a different career path and undertook a part-time law degree and is currently taking the coveted IPLS Bar trainee course.

She said: “I am honoured to receive the Lord Kerr scholarship, which removes a significant financial barrier during my academic training year, allowing me to focus fully on my professional development.   

“As a mature student and with caring responsibilities, this support is genuinely transformative. It represents an important investment in widening access to the Bar of Northern Ireland and enables me to pursue my ambition to contribute meaningfully to the profession.

“It means a great deal to me to know that the scholarship represents an endorsement of a non-traditional candidate for Bar training.

“I hope it inspires others in a similar position to know that support exists to help dismantle barriers to professional development.”

For the first time, the Bar of NI has provided support for two additional scholarships to invest in students who may not otherwise be in a position to undertake the course.

Bar Council chair Donal Lunny KC said: “The Lord Kerr Scholarship honours the seminal legal career of our late colleague, Lord Kerr, and his lifelong commitment to widening participation in the legal profession. The Bar Council is delighted to continue our association with, and financial support for, the Lord Kerr scholarship.

“Cognisant of Lord Kerr’s enduring legacy, and being acutely aware of the need to sustain and enhance diversity, inclusion, and excellence in our profession, especially at a time when the state provides little or no financial support for students seeking to pursue a career at the Bar, the Bar Council has this year funded two additional scholarships for Bar students at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies.

“We, as a Bar, are determined to build upon these foundations as we go forward, so as to ensure that our profession remains representative of the community that it serves.”

One of the first recipients of the Bar of NI Scholarships, Georgia Liddle, said: “I am sincerely grateful to receive the Bar of Northern Ireland scholarship and am honoured to be among its first recipients.   

“This scholarship has significantly eased the financial pressures of my studies, enabling me to focus more effectively on the academic and professional demands of training for practice.

“I am extremely thankful for the opportunity it provides and for the encouragement it offers as I prepare for a career at the Bar.”

Eddie Friel, director of alumni engagement and philantrophy at Queen’s, said: “We are incredibly grateful that, each year, these scholarships support students who may not otherwise be in a position to become a barrister.

“It’s important that the Institute for Professional Legal Studies is able to attract people with a variety of skills and experiences, and we are delighted to work with the Bar of NI and the Kerr family to help enable that diversity, as well as investing in the future of our students.

“Congratulations to Rosie, Georgia and Emma.”