Courtroom Drama

Over the past weekend 30 students gathered in the centre of London to spent two days learning all about criminal law, the trial process and the justice system. On Saturday the group began with a discussion of how the implementation of the law progress from a crime being committed to the trial, through the investigation and the CPS, through to the day in court and how that process works.

The group then moved on to look at what makes up a crime, why we have laws against certain activities and also how those laws are made. We also discussed how laws are used to protect vulnerable members in society. The group discussed a variety of offences including theft and assault before considering various fact situations and possible crimes committed within them. Late on Saturday the group learned how to question witnesses and how to carry on a case in court.

The group was split into teams and give case papers so they were acting for either the Crown on in defence of an accused person. In their teams they worked out their strategies for questioning the victim, the defendant and the witnesses. They also tackled advanced aspects of the trial such as arguing for their clients’ previous conviction records to be included, or not allowed at trial. Later on Sunday the teams battled it out in two Mock Trials.

The defence teams came out on top, securing not guilty verdicts for both of their clients. By the end of the weekend the students had learned a great deal about the criminal justice system, court cases and how to argue a case in front of a judge and jury, with the quality really showing through in some of the court performances.

Learn more about Debate Chamber Law events here.

Art Ward, Law Tutor