Class in legal education

This entry considers class in legal education noting that while higher education globally has made some progress in widening access and participation to traditionally underrepresented groups, this progress cannot be seen in relation to class or socio-economic background. Research shows that a significant minority of legal academics do not feel comfortable in the middle class milieu of legal academia and that young working class people are less likely to apply to university or be accepted when they do. Those who do gain entry, especially entry to elite institutions often struggle to fit in. This picture is mirrored in the legal professions making it difficult for working class students to identify role models and see themselves in the places they aspire to gain access to.