The Maurice Gaffney Scholarship
Application Form 2017/2018
Deadline for Applications
Please complete your application in full, attaching all required and supporting
documentation, and return to:
The Honorable Society of King’s Inns
Henrietta Street
Dublin 1
All applications must be received no later than 5pm, 31 July 2017
For queries please contact [email protected]
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The Maurice Gaffney Scholarship 2017
The Scholarship is named in honour of Maurice Gaffney SC (1916-2016). Holding a
BA in Economics from UCD (1939) and H. Dip in Education (1943) Maurice Gaffney
was a teacher at Glenstal Abbey and at James’s Street, Dublin, who studied for the
Bar at night and was admitted to the degree of Barrister-at-Law at King’s Inns in
1954. Maurice Gaffney was made Senior Counsel in 1970 and practised at the Bar
of Ireland for 62 years until his death aged 100 years. He worked in criminal law,
conveyancing and property, landlord and tenant and employment law and served as
Chairman of the Employment Appeals Tribunal. The Maurice Gaffney Scholarship
provides that the Education Committee of King’s Inns may remit course fees payable
by students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who face
exceptional hardship and wish to attend the course leading to the Diploma in Legal
Studies.
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The Maurice Gaffney Scholarship 2017
Overview
The Education Committee will remit fees payable to the Society by a limited
number of students per annum from a socio-economically disadvantaged
background who faces exceptional hardship in respect of the Diploma in Legal
Studies course.
What does Gaffney Scholarship offer?

Remission of the fees payable in whole or part thereof in both year 1 and year 2 of
the the Diploma in Legal Studies course of the King’s Inns, including any repeat
assessments on the Diploma in Legal Studies course up to the limit of attempts
permitted under the Education Rules of the Society (Edition of December 2016).
Where a Gaffney Scholar chooses to undertake the Entrance Examination Fee to the
Barrister-at-Law degree course, the fee or part thereof, for ONE attempt at that
examination will also be remitted.
How to Apply
1. Applicants are required to
a. complete a detailed application form
b. submit a reflective piece max. 750 words)
c. supply the names of two referees whom King’s Inns may contact
2. Applicants are shortlisted and may be invited for interview
3. Final decision regarding eligibility is determined by the Education Committee with the
approval of the Standing Committee.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Applicants who are, or who will be, eligible to apply for a place on the Society’s
Diploma in Legal Studies course *
AND
2. Applicants who meet a correct combination of financial and social background criteria
* Educational qualifications for admission to the Diploma Course
Every person who seeks a place on the Diploma in Legal Studies course shall
(i) Hold a degree from a third level institution (as defined in Rule 4(b) other than an
approved degree (as defined in Rule 4(c), or
(ii) be at least twenty three years of age on the 1 of May in the year in which he
presents himself for examination in Part I of the diploma examination.
Consideration will be had to (a) academic and professional qualifications and (b)
occupation and work experience. An applicant who holds an approved degree
may not apply for a place reserved for mature applicants.
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Every person who seeks a place in the diploma course must lodge the appropriate
application form not later than the 31 May in the year in which he seeks a place. In the case
of an applicant who is in the process of acquiring the necessary educational qualifications to
be eligible for a place in the diploma course, the application may be made on a provisional
basis not later than the 31 May and shall be treated as conditional upon such educational
qualifications being acquired not later than the 1 July in the year in which he seeks a place.
Applications are also accepted on payment of a late fee up to 1 July in the year which he
seeks a place. Fees must be paid in accordance with the directions that are laid down by
the Society.
An applicant who has been allocated a place shall be notified in writing by ordinary post to
the address given in his application form or a subsequently amended address which must be
notified in writing to King’s Inns. He shall signify his acceptance of such place not later than
ten days from the date of posting by payment of such fee as may be laid down from time to
time. If he fails either to indicate his acceptance or to pay the required fee within the
specified time, his place may be offered to another candidate designated by the Education
Committee. The decision of the Education Committee as to the allocation of places in the
diploma course shall be final.
Note:
In respect of the above categories, persons in category (i) are graduate applicants and
persons in category (ii) people are “mature” applicants for the purpose of both application to
the course and for the purpose of this form.
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Application to The Gaffney Scholarship 2017
Please complete EACH of the following panels; if a panel does not
apply to you (e.g. because you are asked about third level
education as a mature non graduate applicant) then please write
“not applicable” in that panel.
Personal Details
Surname:
First Name(s):
Date of Birth*
(DDMMYY):
Gender:
Country of Birth:
Male

Female

Home Address:
Eircode:
Correspondence
Address
(if different):
Eircode:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Mobile Phone:
Email:
*Please enclose a copy of your birth certificate or passport
Education
Have you ever attended a third level degree
course?
If yes, please provide the following details:*
Institution
Course Title
Did you complete the Course?
If not, please provide details:
Yes
No


Year
Yes
Completion Date

No

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Did you receive Access funding as an undergraduate?
If yes, please provide details:
Yes*

No

*If you received Access funding, please enclose a letter from your former third level
institution confirming same.
Did you apply for or receive a SUSI or Local Authority
funding as an undergraduate?
If yes, please provide details:
Yes

No

Have you availed of any other funding towards your
Education in the past?
If yes, please provide details:
Yes

No

Schools attended (starting with most recent)
Dates of Attendance
From
To
Are you a mature applicant?*
Yes

No

*At least twenty three years of age on the 1 of May in the year in which he/she presents themselves
for examination in Part I of the diploma examination. Consideration will be had to (a) academic and
professional qualifications and (b) occupation and work experience.
If you are a mature applicant, did you:
(a) complete your Leaving Certificate
(b) complete any Educational courses*
* If yes, please provide details
Yes
Yes


No
No


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Employment
Are you currently
employed?
Yes

No

Part-Time
Please provide details (starting with most recent)
Place of Work
Role


Full-Time
Dates
From
To
Yes 
No 
Are you an EU National?
OR
Have you been granted Refugee Status?
Yes  Year Granted: _____
No 
If not, do you require an education visa to study in
Ireland?
Yes 
No 
Are you in a position to work in Ireland?
Yes 
No 
Other
Particulars of Family Members (i.e. parents, siblings and dependents)*
Surname
First Name
Date of Birth
DDMMYY
Indicate (yes/no)
whether this
person is
currently resident
in the family
home
Highest level of
education achieved to
date (i.e. Primary
Education,
Group/Inter/Junior/Le
aving Certificate,
PLC, Adult Education,
Certificate Diploma,
Degree, Masters
Programme etc.)
Current
Occupation
or current
place of
study
*Additional information can be added on an extra sheet attached to the application if
required
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Current Place of Residence
Please tick the appropriate box:
Home Owner
Private Rented Accommodation
Local Authority Tenant Purchase Scheme
Local Authority Rented Housing
Local Authority Rented Flat
Other non-permanent accommodation (please give
details)






Address:
Eircode:
Do you own additional property?
If yes, please provide details:
Yes

No

Yes

No

Place of Residence during Childhood
Please tick the appropriate box:
Home Owner
Private Rented Accommodation
Local Authority Tenant Purchase Scheme
Local Authority Rented Housing
Local Authority Rented Flat
Other non-permanent accommodation (please give
details)






Address:
Eircode:
Did your parent(s) own additional property?
If yes, please provide details:
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Financial Information
Section A
Particulars of income from paid employment (including self-employment). If you are
residing with parents, please give details of their income.*
Estimated total income for the year ended 31 December 2016
Documents
Self
Spouse/Partner Father
Mother
Required
N/A
Occupation
(be as
specific as
possible)
Income from
employment
e.g. PAYE –
salary,
wages, fees
etc.
Income from
pension
(from former
employer or
pension
scheme)
Income from
selfemployment
P60 and P21
Income from
land: profits
from farming
activities
Income from
any other
source.
(Please
specify)
Notice of
Assessments
and
Accounts
Relevant
evidence
Notice of
Assessments
and
Accounts
P60 and P21
* If neither you/your spouse/partner/your parent(s) are in paid employment please go to
Section B
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Financial Information
Section B
Particulars of income from Department of Social Protection (DSP) (Complete where
applicable)
Estimated total income for the year ended 31 December 2016
Documents
Self
Spouse/Partner Father
Mother
Required
N/A
Current or
most recent
occupation (be
as specific as
possible)
DSP –
Jobseekers
Benefit (shortterm)
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
DSP –
Jobseekers
Allowance
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
DSP –
Jobseekers
Transitional
payment (JST)
DSP –
Supplementary
Welfare
Allowance
DSP –
Pension
Payment
(please
specify)
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
DSP – Rent
Supplement
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
DSP –
Mortgage
Interest
Supplement
DSP – Illness
Benefit
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
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DSP –
Disability
Allowance
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
DSP – Partial
Capacity
Benefit
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
Other DSP
payment
(please
specify)
P21 and
Social
Welfare
Statement
Medical Card/GP Visit Card
Do you possess a medical card/GP Visit Card valid on
31 December 2016?
If yes, please specify which and provide the number:
Yes


No
Medical Card

GP Visit Card

No. _________________
Additional Information
Other information on the financial circumstances of the family, including any regular
outgoings such as rent, loans, childcare, mortgageor debt repayment that you may
wish to include for consideration:
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Reflective Piece
Please enclose a typed reflective piece (max. 750 words) with this application form,
explaining why you wish to pursue the Diploma in Legal Studies and setting out your career
aspirations and motivations, along with an explanation of how your experience to date has
influenced your decision to apply for the Diploma in Legal Studies course. This piece can
include any additional information you believe would support your application, including
information on your personal circumstances and the benefit you believe you would derive
from being awarded the Gaffney Scholarship.
Referees
Please provide the details of two referees e.g. a tutor / teacher from a course you have
attended or supervisor from a place of work.
Referee 1
Name
Job Title
Relationship to
you
Address
Telephone No.
Email
Referee 2
Name
Job Title
Relationship to
you
Address
Telephone No.
Email
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Check-list
Please ensure the following documentation is enclosed with your completed application form
 Letter from your former third level institution confirming that you received Access
funding (if applicable)
 Financial Information to support Section A and/or Section B (where applicable)
 Reflective Piece (max. 750 words)
 Transcripts of all law degree/diploma/certificate results (if applicable / available at
time of application)
Declaration
I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information provided is true and
accurate.
Signature of applicant: _________________________________
Date:
_________________________________
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