The SLS Mentoring Scheme fosters conversations among colleagues, encouraging the exchange of experiences and ideas on developing a career as a legal scholar. Initially launched as a conference-focused initiative, it aimed to help colleagues who were less familiar with the Annual Conference make the most of it—both substantively and in terms of networking. Following positive feedback from Members, mentors and mentees should feel free to adopt a broader, career-oriented focus, supporting discussions on various career-related matters within the collegial framework of the Annual Conference; however, we do not insist upon this. In recent years, the scheme has generated significant interest, with over 100 colleagues engaging annually.

Colleagues registered for the Annual Conference will be asked about their interest in participating in the Mentoring Scheme—either as a Mentee or as a Mentor. Subsequently, they will be linked, as appropriate. They will be encouraged to establish initial contact prior to the conference. The primary conversation should take place during the Annual Conference, which serves as the main platform for in-person meetings. There is no expectation for the mentoring relationship to extend beyond the duration of the Annual Conference.

1: broadly understood common interests (as per Conference’s sessions registered for)
2: seniority (in general Mentors should be more advanced in their career than Mentees)
3: attending the Annual Conference on overlapping days (an opportunity to meet in person)
4: institutional difference (Mentee and Mentor should not be based in the same institution)

Due to diversity of factors, including availability of colleagues willing to act as Mentors, despite best efforts, at times it is not possible for colleagues willing to benefit from the Scheme as Mentees to be able to do so.