COMBAR Bursary Application Form

Bursary Application Form

Supported by the Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
Those applying to commence their studies with the ICCA from September 2025 onwards are eligible to be considered for a bursary, funded by COMBAR, of up to £10,000 towards the fee for the ICCA’s Bar Course.

COMBAR is the specialist association of the English and Welsh Bar for commercial barristers. Its members represent clients in commercial disputes across a range of sectors including banking, insurance, reinsurance, shipping, commodities and international trade.

This bursary is aimed at those who have:
- a demonstrable commitment to the work of the Commercial Bar.
- significant financial difficulty taking up a place on the ICCA Bar Course without a bursary; and
- a background that is under-represented at the Bar generally, or at the Commercial Bar particularly.
NB: Questions marked with a red asterisk (*) are mandatory.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Your Applicant ID number*
You will find this in the ICCA application portal
Describe your interest in the work undertaken by members of the Commercial Bar. Please provide examples of your commitment to commencing practice in this area. For example and not exhaustively: depth of knowledge about the work of the SBA; discussions with key figures involved with the SBA; selection of optional subjects during academic studies; involvement with relevant societies or campaigns.*

0/400
Why are you applying for a Bar Course bursary?*

0/400
Describe how you believe your culture, background, personal circumstances, sexual orientation, identity, disability or any other characteristic is under-represented at the Bar generally, or at the Commercial Bar in particular.*

0/400

Your expenditure
To accurately assess your application, we need some information about your average monthly expenditure while studying Part 2 of the ICCA Bar Course, including accommodation, transport, food and utility bills etc, and particularly highlighting any unusual non-discretionary expenditure (such as medical costs or caring responsibilities, etc)
Accommodation*
A descriptive sublabel can be added...
Transport*
Food*
Utility bills*
Medical costs*
Caring responsibility costs*
Other expenditure*
Other expenditure description
Use this field to describe "Other expenditure"
Other expenditure (2)
Leave blank if not required
Other expenditure (2) description
Other expenditure (3)
Leave blank if not required
Other expenditure (3) description
TOTAL EXPENDITURE

Your income
To accurately assess your application, we need some information about your expected average monthly income while studying Part 2 of the ICCA Bar Course.

This must include (non-exhaustively) paid employment, gifts (e.g., from parent(s)), loans, dividends, allowances from Trusts, drawdowns from pupillage, scholarships or similar awards, and benefit payments etc.
Paid employment*
Gifts*
Loans*
Dividends*
Allowances from Trusts*
Drawdowns from pupillage*
Scholarships or similar awards*
Benefit payments*
Other income*
Other income description
Other income (2)
Leave blank if not required
Other income (2) description
Other income (3)
Leave blank if not required
Other income (3) description
TOTAL INCOME

Your assets
To accurately assess your application, we need details about your expected assets at the point you commence studying Part 2 of the Bar Course. This must include (non-exhaustively) savings, investments, equity in property, and assets held in trust etc.

Please note the above must include details of any savings (etc) expected to be built up from the date of this application prior to the intended start of Part 2 of the Bar Course (e.g. from remunerated work undertaken while studying during the Part One Course)

Applicants should understand that funding for bursaries is limited and is targeted at those who are likely to financially struggle to take up a place on the ICCA Bar Course. Bursaries are not intended for those who have access to income or assets that they are (however understandably) reluctant to utilise.
Savings*
Investments*
Equity in property*
Assets held in trust*
Other assets*
Other assets description
Other assets (2)
Leave blank if not required
Other assets (2) description
Other assets (3)
Leave blank if not required
Other assets (3) description
TOTAL ASSETS

Supporting documentation
Applicants are required to upload financial evidence in support of their application.*

Cancelof

Equality & Diversity monitoring
The ICCA wants to meet the aims and commitments set out in its equality policy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010.

We need your help and co-operation to enable us to do this, but filling in this form is voluntary. The information provided will be kept confidential and will be used for monitoring purposes only, and will not be disclosed to anyone making decisions about the award of bursaries.

If you have any questions about this form contact Andy Russell, ICCA Operations Director (arussell@tbtas.org.uk).
Gender
Age range
Ethnicity
What is your religion or belief?
What is your sexual orientation?
Is your gender identification the same as the gender assigned to you at birth?
The following question is about your parents' level of education. This includes natural parents, adoptive parents, step-parents or guardians who have brought you up.
Do any of your parents (as defined above) have any higher education qualifications, such as a degree, diploma or certificate of higher education?
Did you mainly attend a state or fee paying school between the ages 11–18?
This collects the socio-economic background of students aged 21 and over at the start of their course, or for students under 21 the socio-economic background of their parent, step-parent or guardian who earns the most. It is based on occupation, and if the parent or guardian is retired or unemployed, this is based on their most recent occupation
Are you in paid employment?
Postcode on your 16th birthday
Are you a primary carer for a child or children under 18?
Do you look after, or give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of either: Long-term physical or mental ill-health/disability -Problems related to old age? (Do not count anything you do as part of your paid employment)
Are you a care leaver?
Do you consider yourself to have a disability according to the definition in the Equality Act?
Is English your first language?
By submitting this form you declare that the information contained in it is true and you confirm that you understand that suspected false, incomplete or misleading information could lead to an investigation into whether you are a fit and proper person to become a practising barrister.
Should be Empty:

Bursary Application Form

Your expenditure

Your income

Your assets

Supporting documentation

Equality & Diversity monitoring