Courtroom drama for law students

The trial was organised by law students and focused on the scenario of a health and safety at work case.

Members of the Bar and Mooting Society acted out the roles of the court, environmental health students played the role of the witnesses and journalism students took part in a mock press conference at the event on Monday. (Feb 28)

A dress rehearsal of the mock trial was watched by Lord Carlisle, the government’s official reviewer of counter-terrorism laws, who visited the University on Thursday (24 Feb) to take part in a student debate focused on counter-terrorism legislation and civil liberties.

Third year LLB student and President of the Bar and Mooting Society, Stephanie Williams, organised the trial which took place in the University’s own courtroom, with support from School of Applied Sciences lecturer, David Williams.

Stephanie, from the School of Law, Social Sciences and Communications, said: “We have been working together on organising the trial for almost three months. We tried to make it as realistic as possible, using a modified case scenario of a real life health and safety at work case, and providing witness statements and other materials for use in the trial.

“The final trial took place in front of a live audience, some of which played the role of the jury. There was also a simulated press conference after the trial which involved the barristers and the defendant being questioned by one of the University's journalist students, with a view to them writing a newspaper article about the trial.”

The trial was organised to help develop the students’ vocational skills, and was filmed so that they can reflect on their performance and improve their skills further.

ENDS

Picture: L to R -Roshaina Moulton, Michael Bennett, Stacey Willets, Stephen Pinnington and Leigh Smith.

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736