Meet one of our Bar Course 2024 scholars: Matthew Fedigan
Coming from a non-traditional background, this award affirms that merit and determination can overcome barriers.
Could you tell us briefly about your background, and why you chose to join Gray’s Inn?
I come from a non-traditional background for the Bar. I was told by a school careers adviser over two decades ago that I did not have the right academic and social background to pursue a successful legal career.
Having subsequently built a career as a Chartered Building Surveyor and later as a dispute resolution specialist. I now sit as a construction adjudicator, act as a registered mediator, and I co-founded an award-winning consultancy focused on construction and property law disputes. Alongside practice, I lecture in construction law and dispute resolution at postgraduate level at The University of The Built Environment.
My decision to join Gray’s Inn was driven by its reputation for excellence in advocacy and its strong sense of community. Having visited the Inn, I made good friends with student and other members of Gray’s Inn from day one which reinforced my view that as Gray’s is one of the smaller Inn’s, it is a wholly friendly, welcoming and unstuffy place to be. The Inn’s commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds resonated with me, as did its outstanding scholarship programme—I was honoured to receive both the Edmund James Lawson and Roger Cox Scholarships. These opportunities, combined with Gray’s Inn’s emphasis on mentoring and professional development, made it the ideal environment to transition my experience in dispute resolution into a career at the Bar. I have had the privilege at a really early stage of shadowing a Bencher from the Inn, interviewing many members on my podcast ‘doesn’t sound right’ which was recently featured in mainstream media. I have been fortunate to receive generous mentoring support from leading barristers, including KC’s.
What does this scholarship mean to you?
The Roger Cox Scholarship represents far more than financial support, it is a much needed very early vote of confidence. For me, it signifies recognition of the qualities Gray’s Inn values most: intellectual ability, resilience, and a genuine commitment to the Bar. Coming from a non-traditional background, this award affirms that merit and determination can overcome barriers, and it reinforces my belief that the profession is open to those who work hard and aspire to serve justice.
On a personal level, as a father of two young children, I simply would not be pursuing the bar course without the scholarship. It alleviates the significant financial burden of Bar training, allowing me to focus fully on developing as an advocate. But beyond the practical support, it connects me to a community of excellence – mentors, peers, and opportunities that will shape my journey to the Bar. It is both an honour and a responsibility: to uphold the values of Gray’s Inn and to contribute meaningfully to the profession in return.
What’s the best advice you would you give to students applying for Bar Course Scholarships?
When applying for Bar Course Scholarships, preparation and authenticity are key. First, understand the selection criteria and tailor your application to demonstrate academic ability, advocacy skills, resilience, and commitment to the Bar with clear, specific examples.
Second, start early and research thoroughly—attend scholarship Q&A sessions, gather strong references, and ensure your written application is polished and well-structured.
Finally, prepare for the interview as if it were an advocacy exercise: practice presenting arguments under time pressure, stay informed on current legal issues, and be ready to show how your experiences and values align with the profession. Above all, be authentic—panels value honesty and self-awareness as much as technical skill.
