SCHOLARSHIPS TERMS & CONDITIONS

The College of Law (College) is committed to supporting the legal profession and helping practitioners to reposition their legal careers into new areas or by developing new skills to enhance those careers. As a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the College has created a support package which includes the provision of scholarships to help legal industry professionals upskill.

1. THE NEW ZEALAND LLM SCHOLARSHIP

The New Zealand LLM Scholarship is a Master of Law (Applied Law) which consists of any 8 subjects to achieve a major in one of the four Masters available (Family, Wills, Estates & Trusts, In-house or Criminal) (NZ LLM Scholarship).

2. PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

The College acknowledges that recently graduated law students and legal service industry professionals might be experiencing unexpected financial challenges because of COVID-19. The purpose of these scholarships is to assist legal service industry professionals who have been impacted by the COVID-19 environment to upskill and diversify their skillsets during these times.

3. SCHOLARSHIP VALUE

The value of a NZ LLM Scholarship is NZ $12,000 (excluding GST) being the cost of an 8 subject Master of Law degree.

4. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Applications are open to law students or lawyers who

1. are New Zealand citizens/permanent residents;
2. meet the enrolment criteria for the NZ LLM Scholarship as set out in section 5; and
3. meet the scholarship selection criteria set out in section 7 (Eligible Applicant).

5. ENROLMENT CRITERIA

5.1. An applicant must meet the enrolment criteria for the Master of Law, which is:

1. have an undergraduate law degree or equivalent; and
2. have completed Pre-admission training (either COLNZ or equivalent).

5.2. An applicant must be able to commence study within the following two intakes in the year that the NZ LLM Scholarship is awarded.

6. SELECTION COMMITTEE

The selection committee will be chaired by an Emeritus Member of the College and comprise the College New Zealand CEO and a College Alumni who is a practicing lawyer.
(Selection Committee).

7. SELECTION CRITERIA

The NZ LLM Scholarship will be awarded to Eligible Applicants who in the opinion of the Selection Committee, demonstrates through their application and supporting documentation:

1. Negative Impact of COVID-19
   Demonstrated negative impact of COVID19-related economic circumstances on work, role, career or practice constituting hardship broadly equivalent to a 30% impairment, expressed in either financial or non-financial measures.
2. Commitment to Career Development
   Demonstrated commitment to re-forging career utilising education strategies to build career-relevant knowledge, skills and credentials
3. Positive Benefit for Profession and Community
   Demonstrated likelihood that the applicant’s enhanced career opportunities will have positive impact on people around the applicant in the profession and the community

8. SCHOLARSHIP SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

8.1. The award of an NZ LLM Scholarship is conditional upon the recipient formally enrolling into the Master of Law within the following two intakes in the year that the scholarship is awarded.

8.2. The scholarship must be taken as offered and cannot be varied or redeemed for cash.

8.3. A recipient must be able to fully meet the enrolment requirements for the scholarship and comply with the relevant program rules and the College’s rules and policies.

8.4. The maximum time for completion of an NZ LLM Scholarship is 24 months.

8.5. If a subject selected by a recipient is unavailable or the subject date is rescheduled, a recipient will be eligible to transfer to another nominated subject

8.6. A recipient must achieve a pass grade in each subject undertaken. If the recipient fails any subject the College may, at its discretion, deny to the recipient any further funding under the scholarship.

8.7. If a recipient fails a subject, the scholarship will not cover tuition fees associated with enrolment in repeat or substitute subjects.

8.8. All ancillary costs associated with the scholarship including travel (if applicable) are the responsibility of the recipient.

9. APPLICATION DATES

Applications Open: Monday, 22 June 2020

Applications Close: Friday, 17 August 2020 at 5pm NZST

10. APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for a scholarship an Eligible Applicant must complete an online application form and upload the following supporting documentation to demonstrate the selection criteria:

1. a statement of no more than two A4 pages addressing each of the selection criteria outlined in section 8 above;
2. evidence of 30% financial impairment such as a statutory declaration, letter from employer regarding employment status, Work and Income Statement or proof of income/support from family; and
3. a brief curriculum vitae.

11. AWARD OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

1. The scholarships will be awarded to Eligible Applicants on the recommendation of the Selection Committee. The awarding of a scholarship is at the sole discretion of the College.
2. Successful applicants will be notified via email by 31 August 2020.
3. Following notification of award of the scholarship the successful application must formally enrol in the relevant program by the intake deadline.