Law students have their day in court

Students from Northumbria Law School’s Student Law Office participated in a mock trial before a qualified Legal Clerk and local Magistrates. The trial took place in the Law School’s own mock courtroom and with academic staff acting as the clients and usher it was as true to life as it gets.

The students only had a short period of time to prepare the applications, just as would be the case when a qualified solicitor attends court to meet a new client. The hearings included a bail application, a mode of trial hearing and a plea in mitigation with the students playing the role of both Prosecution and Defence.

Following the hearings Judith Gowland, Senior Lecturer said: “The quality of the advocacy was exceptional and the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The session was recorded so that the students could analyse their performance after the event which helped them gain further insight into their advocacy technique. The Legal Clerk and Magistrates involved were extremely impressed with the high standards of advocacy”.

The award-winning Student Law Office, which offers free legal advice and representation to the public, deals with many criminal law cases. Unfortunately, one of the limitations they face is that students do not have the automatic right to conduct advocacy before the Magistrates’ Courts. To address this matter, Joanne Clough and Judith Gowland, Senior Lecturers at Northumbria Law School, attended an international conference in Australia where they presented papers challenging this obstacle and setting out a plan to slowly introduce students into the courts. They have since prepared a number of mock hearings for the students to participate in.

Joanne Clough, Senior Lecturer said: “We are confident that our students have the ability to provide quality advice and representation, particularly in the less serious cases where legal aid does not often allow for a qualified solicitor and the client would otherwise be facing the court unassisted”.

If you wish to gain advice and assistance with a Magistrates’ Court case where you are not eligible for legal aid, please contact the Student Law Office on 0191 227 3909 or email la.studentlawoffice@northumbria.ac.uk. Alternatively, visit the website www.studentlawoffice.co.uk.