Authors:Legal Action Group
Created:2022-12-01
Last updated:2023-09-18
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Brigesa Ujkaj has been named as the first recipient of the
Stephen Knafler QC Scholarship,
set up in memory of Stephen, a brilliant barrister and LAG author known for his work at the forefront of the protection of the rights of migrants and vulnerable asylum-seekers.
Ujkaj described the scholarship as ‘life-changing’. She said:
From a very young age I have aspired to a career in the legal sector. I arrived in the UK in 2017 as an asylum-seeker, having left my country out of fear of being a target of human traffickers. From that moment, I never thought I’d ever have the chance to get back into education due to my immigration status and language barrier.
Despite being temporarily detained at Yarl’s Wood, I successfully completed a law access course and an International English Language Testing System course. I applied for and was accepted to do a law degree at The City Law School. I was very fortunate to have been granted a Sanctuary Scholarship to begin the course and I completed it with a first-class honours degree.
She then applied to be admitted to the Bar Vocational Studies course to continue her studies at City, albeit with ‘no idea’ how to fund it:
Thankfully, the university informed me about the Stephen Knafler QC Scholarship. I applied for and was granted the scholarship and it felt like a dream come true. This scholarship has made a major impact on my life and is giving me the chance to pursue a career at the bar. I am very thankful to everyone who made this scholarship possible and who has understood my struggle – I hope one day I can make my own contribution towards this scholarship in helping asylum-seekers who aspire to the bar.
The scholarship is funded by Doughty Street Chambers, Garden Court Chambers, Landmark Chambers, Anthony Gold Solicitors and others. If you would like to donate for next year’s award, please
visit this webpage.