At Cloth Fair Chambers we are committed to supporting causes that foster the education and advancement of young people, especially those who aspire to be criminal barristers. Providing both financial and practical support, we take our social responsibilities seriously and pay particular attention to raising aspirations and providing opportunities for young people from less-advantaged backgrounds. This mission is necessarily linked to the critical need for diversity and inclusion, and breaking down barriers in the profession.
Our members regularly provide mentoring and advocacy training to aspiring lawyers. Furthermore, we are proud to sponsor specific causes, examples of which are here:
The Kalisher Trust is a driving force in bringing diversity and opportunity to the bar.
At Cloth Fair are proud to be supporters of their valuable work since 2006. The Trust’s main aims, which align with the values of Cloth Fair, are to help broaden ethnic and social representation of the criminal bar; to provide training, mentoring and assistance to young people from diverse backgrounds; to encourage and support young people to would not have otherwise chosen a career at the bar; and to provide financial and career support through internships and scholarships to recently qualified barristers. These aims culminate in the desire to assist young people to develop sustainable and successful careers at the Bar.
The Kalisher Trust depends on the generosity and support of donors and its trustees. Please click here to find out more about their work and how you might support.
Financial assistance to a law student from an inner London secondary school.
Cloth Fair Chambers provides financial sponsorship to one eligible student who has completed their education in a non-fee-paying school based in the approximate locality around Chambers, and who is studying Law at third level. This sponsorship will last the duration of the student’s law degree, providing financial support and security in order to allow them to reach their fullest potential while developing their advocacy skills. In addition to the provision of financial support from Chambers, the student will also be offered the opportunity to complete work experience arranged by Chambers.
Cloth Fair is currently sponsoring a student who began their law degree at the University of Manchester in September 2021.
Shakespeare Schools Foundation (SSF) is a cultural education charity that gives young people across the UK the confidence to succeed in life. The world’s largest youth drama festival lies at the heart of SSF’s transformative process. Every year, they work with thousands of pupils from every community, background and school type across the UK. Months of preparation culminate in exhilarating performance evenings in professional theatres nationwide; a night which can give confidence and self-esteem to last a lifetime.
Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (CSSF) is a cultural education charity that gives young people the confidence to succeed in life.
The world’s largest youth drama festival lies at the heart of CSSF’s transformative process. Every year, they work with thousands of pupils from every community, background and school type across the UK. Months of preparation culminate in exhilarating performance evenings in professional theatres nationwide; a night which can give confidence and self-esteem to last a lifetime.
Confidence and verbal dexterity lie at the heart of our profession and therefore we believe that the skills that this Foundation provides to its pupils are particularly well-matched to what we do. In addition to providing financial support, our members have previously been involved in fund-raising West End theatre productions. Please click here to find out more.
Our members regularly devote their time to pro bono matters. These cases can involve working as part of a team in collaboration with a client firm on a large complex matter, or volunteering for individual lay clients through Advocate, the charity that finds free legal help for those in need. Advocate, a beneficiary of financial support from Cloth Fair, also provides paid work experience to law student caseworkers ensuring access to opportunities and experience for all.
