Young Lawyers Weekend

Over the past weekend a group of 15  bright young students gathered in central London to spend time learning about the law, specifically about criminal law, the trial process and the justice system. On Saturday the group began with a discussions about what makes a law, where we get them from and the various purposes which they serve. After this the group learned how a crime moves forward to the trial and all of the legal steps in between.

Later in the afternoon the students examined what makes up a specific crime and how such laws are actually written.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 build a strategy to use in court – these were skills they would need for their trial the next day.

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 their respective witnesses. Later on Sunday the teams faced donned their wigs and gowns and faced off against each other in two Mock Trials. The defence team were victorious in one trial, securing a not guilty verdict for both of their client, with the prosecution successfully getting a conviction in the other trial. The defendant received an 18 month suspended sentence from the trial judge.

By the end of the weekend the students had lots about the criminal justice system, how a court case works and how to argue a case in front of a judge. There were some excellent questioning and speeches during the trials. I have no doubt that some of these students will become big players in the legal scene in years to come!

Art Ward, Debate Chamber Law Tutor