Royal Faculty Widens Scope of Charitable Fund

The Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow is pleased to announce that the charitable purposes of the James Caldwell Bequest Fund (SC041067) have been expanded, enabling the Fund to support a wider range of individuals while continuing the Faculty's long tradition of charity, education and public service.

Administered by the Royal Faculty's Charitable Funds Committee, the Fund has long provided financial assistance to current and former members of the Faculty, together with their spouses, civil partners and dependants who are in need of support.

Following a recent review, the Fund's charitable purposes have been broadened to allow it to:

• provide grants to individuals who would be eligible to become members of the Royal Faculty, together with their spouses, civil partners and dependants, where the Charitable Funds Committee considers them to be in need of assistance; and

• Advance the education of individuals studying or researching Scots law or in qualifying or training to become lawyers in Scotland.

These changes will enable the Fund to make a meaningful difference to a broader section of Scotland's legal community while remaining true to the intentions of the original bequest.

Applying for Support

Individuals who believe they may be eligible to receive assistance are encouraged to apply. Application forms can be downloaded from the Royal Faculty website.

For further information, please contact the administrator of the James Caldwell Bequest Fund, Lauren Booth, at lauren@mitchells-roberton.co.uk.

All applications are treated in the strictest confidence, and grants are awarded at the discretion of the Charitable Funds Committee.

Supporting the Next Generation of Scottish Lawyers

The expanded charitable purposes strengthen the Fund's ability to invest in the future of the legal profession through educational and training grants.

One recent recipient reflected on the impact of the Fund's support:

"The scholarship has given me the opportunity to access prestigious training from the Faculty of Advocates that would otherwise have been beyond my reach. The rigorous training and invaluable mentorship I am receiving is paving the way for my future career at the Bar. In turn, this will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the legal profession, promote the rule of law and, I hope, improve access to justice. Devilling has been one of the most rewarding and intellectually stimulating opportunities of my career, and without the Fund's generous financial assistance, it would not have been possible. I am deeply grateful for the investment in my future."

A Tradition of Charity Since 1668

Charitable giving has been central to the Royal Faculty's identity for more than 350 years. The Faculty's earliest surviving Minute Book, dating from 1668, records members making donations to support colleagues and the wider community. This spirit of generosity became a defining feature of the organisation and has continued throughout its history.

When King George III granted the Royal Charter in 1796, he described the Royal Faculty as a "useful and charitable institution", recognising that public service and charitable endeavour were already integral to its purpose.

Visitors to the Faculty's home can still see this heritage today in the striking black and gold mortification boards displayed in the gallery of the Small Library. These historic boards commemorate charitable benefactions made by Faculty members over many generations and stand as a lasting reminder of the profession's commitment to supporting others. Originally displayed in the south-west tower of Glasgow Cathedral, where the Faculty's earliest library was housed, the boards were moved to the Faculty's present premises following the demolition of the tower in 1846.

From the donations recorded in the Minute Book of 1668 to the James Caldwell Bequest Fund today, charitable giving has remained at the heart of the Royal Faculty. By broadening the Fund's charitable purposes, the Faculty is ensuring that this legacy continues to benefit an even wider range of people and helps support the future of Scotland's legal profession.