STUDENT leaders have urged Education Secretary Michael Russell to reconsider the Scottish Government's decision not to extend student maintenance loans for those considering a career in law.

In a letter to Mr Russell, student representatives from 10 Scottish universities that offer law degrees said urgent action was required to address the high numbers from privileged backgrounds entering the profession.

The group, which yesterday formally launched a national campaign for fair access to the legal profession (CFALP), say a career as a solicitor is "overwhelmingly the preserve of those from privileged backgrounds" and urgent action is required to address Scotland's "unrepresentative legal profession."

Calling on ministers to tackle the financial barriers, CFALP urged Mr Russell to reconsider the decision not to give student maintenance loans – which are available to undergraduate students and other postgraduate courses – to students on the diploma in professional legal practice (DPLP).

Tim Haddow, of the CFALP steering group and Edinburgh University Law Students' Council, said: "CFALP has been formed by concerned law students as we believe the current route to qualification as a Scottish lawyer and the Scottish Government's policy of providing only a very limited level of student support to DPLP students creates a situation where those without substantial financial resources are excluded from the legal profession.

"We all know students who cannot consider – or have had to abandon – dreams of a legal career simply because they cannot afford to pay for the DPLP. But our concern is not just for the individuals.

"We believe the Scottish Government's current policy is leaving a legacy of an unrepresentative legal profession that will remain for many years."

The Government recently extended the availability of course fee contributions through the postgraduate tuition fee loan but campaigners claim this fails to widen access. They say the £3400 cap is far short of the £12,000 cost of fees and living expenses and "makes no real difference to students who cannot rely on well-off parents".

The campaigners also say the Scottish Government already supports student maintenance loans schemes for other professions, such as architecture and vetinary professions.

A Government spokesman said: "An extra 2300 students, including those sitting a diploma in professional legal practice, will be eligible for loan support of up to £3400 towards the cost of their tuition fees. Previously only 2700 students a year had been eligible for funding."