Frances Paterson Scholarships

SCL awards for Ph.D candidates in Construction Law

As a tribute to her distinguished contribution to construction law, and to the work of SCL, the Society offers a scholarship bearing Frances Paterson's name. The purpose of the scholarship is to support doctoral research in the field of construction law at a UK university.

1.  The Scholarship is intended to assist with the payment of university fees for the duration of a Doctorate and has therefore been set at 50% of the annual course fee, up to a maximum of £2,500 per year (£1,250 for a part-time candidate).
    
2. Applicants must be registered for a Doctorate, or for a Master' leading to transfer to a Doctorate, at a university in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, undertaking research in construction law, within the broad definition given in the SCL Hudson Prize guidance.
    
3. The intention is that the award will be renewed annually, based on confirmation of satisfactory progress being provided by the holder' supervisor. Subject to this, it is intended that the award will be for 3 years for a full-time candidate and for 4 years for a part-time candidate.
    
4. No extension of the duration of the award is envisaged. An application for an extension would only be considered if the candidate' supervisor could demonstrate exceptional circumstances which the University Liaison and Grants Sub-Committee regarded as justifying an extension.
    
5. Applications for award (and renewal of an existing award) must be made at least eight working weeks before the start of the term of the year of the award.
    
6. Applications must be on the pro-forma available here, Applications must be accompanied by a reference from the university supervisor, or prospective supervisor of the candidate as to: a) the academic record and quality of the candidate; b) the value of the research, including prospects for publication; and c) the prospects of completion within 3 years (full-time) and 4 years (part-time).
    
7. All decisions on awards, and renewal of awards, will be at the absolute discretion of SCL Council, on the recommendation of the University Liaison and Grants Sub-Committee. An independent academic reviewer may be used in the initial award process. The Society cannot enter into communication with applicants regarding the merits of decisions on applications and/or renewals.
    
8. On successful completion of the Doctorate, the holder of the award may be invited to make a presentation to a meeting of SCL and will be required to provide a written summary of the results within the format of a SCL paper.