Past recipients are now senators of the College of Justice, King’s Counsel in Scotland and England, and academics at law schools in Scotland and further afield. Awards have been given to those at the start of their legal studies, to those pursuing postgraduate study, and for the widest possible variety of professional courses in the UK, Europe and worldwide. 

The foundation has funded seminars for students, university researchers and practitioners. Students have received funding to study private law in Salzburg and to compete in negotiation in Tokyo. Award holders have held internships at courts in Europe and at law firms in Africa, Asia, and the United States. The foundation has funded research on topics from the Institutional Writers to space law and from the law of conflict to the conflict of laws. It has supported books ranging from a translation of Craig’s Jus Feudale to the Scottish Feminist Judgments Project. It has funded events in areas from CPD for newly-qualified solicitors to lectures from justices of the Supreme Court and the reenactment of historic criminal trials.

The Clark Foundation in this way continues to promote its trust purposes, which are 1) to advance the legal training of those practising or intending to practise law and to support those teaching law in Scotland or elsewhere in the world; and 2) to promote good citizenship and civic responsibility.

Two recent recipients of funding are Jamie McGowan, advocate and the Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association who provide some insight into how their grants have supported them.

Jamie McGowan

The Clark Foundation for Legal Education supported me throughout my doctoral studies at the University of Glasgow. While I was doing my undergraduate degree, I developed a keen interest in public law and wanted to do a further research degree in constitutionalism. However, having come from a care-experienced background, I would never have been able to do a PhD without funding. The grant allowed me to begin my PhD studies, which have provided me with many opportunities to publish and present my research at home and abroad.

Now, I am an advocate at the Scottish bar, where my practice is mostly in public and administrative law. Naturally, my doctoral studies have been crucial to my career at the bar, where I am able to put research into practice. I am grateful to the Clark Foundation for having given me assistance when I needed it most – without it, I would not benefitted from so many opportunities which have come my way since.

Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association

Over the years, the Clark Foundation has been a great source of support. It has assisted the SYLA in delivering education-focussed events to our members, that we would otherwise have been unable to produce. A good example of this work in action is the SYLA / Clark Foundation Ethics Conference – a series of events, delivered by legal professionals, which assists members in meeting their ethical and regulatory TCP requirements (and offers an accessible alternative in the market, free of charge). We are very grateful to the foundation for its continued support, and look forward to working with them in the years to come.