Applications for Law School scholarships must be submitted by August 30

The coalition Government is offering a limited number of scholarships for the Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Currently, law students at the University of Guyana complete the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme after which the top 25 graduates are granted entry annually into the Hugh Wooding Law School to get their LEC.
However, in recent years, Guyanese students in Trinidad have been complaining bitterly about the system, particularly the limited intake when the law classes at UG are packed with close to 100 students.
Additionally, they also complained about the high cost of obtaining the LEC, which is pegged at more than $3 million, and this excludes education materials, accommodation and daily expenses such as food and transportation.
Nevertheless, some students will be able to offset these with the limited scholarships being offered by the Department of Public Service.
Requirements for eligibility include: being the holder of the Bachelor of Laws Degree, with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.3, obtained within the last five years; applicants must be 35 years old or under; and must have an offer of acceptance from the Hugh Wooding Law School for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Present students at the Hugh Wooding Law School must have passes for the first year of studies with at least three courses passes with Grade A.
Application forms can be uplifted from the Scholarships Division at the Department of Public Service within the Ministry of the Presidency. Alternatively, they can be downloaded from the Department’s website.
Completed applications must be returned to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Public Service located at Lot 164 Waterloo Street, Georgetown or submitted via the Department’s website.
Over the years, the need for a local law school has been excessively highlighted and as such, Government has undertaken to step up such an institution here in a joint venture with Jamaican partners.
In fact, after a run-in with the Council for Legal Education (CLE) over permission for establishment of the school, Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams had disclosed in September last year that the path has been cleared to build the local law school here. He noted that a feasibility study was completed and sent to CLE for its appraisal.
Reporters were told it has been proposed that the JOF Haynes Law School  be constructed on 10 acres of land provided by UG.