Mock Trial Trip

A group of Year 9 pupils was inspired by a trip to the courtroom at the University of Portsmouth in the last week of the half term. The university uses the courtroom for training its Law students but we were surprised to hear that, as it is licensed and has the Royal Coat of Arms, it is sometimes used in real life for civil trials (not criminal, as it has no cells or security). This experience involved Law students from City of Portsmouth College acting the parts of the lawyers, witnesses, complainant and defendant in a mock criminal trial scripted by the Citizenship Foundation. A lawyer from Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Emily Lavery, played the judge and was also able to tell us about her exciting career in the field of medical negligence.

At the start, Dr Shane McKinder from the University of Portsmouth spoke to the young people and explained the differences between being a solicitor and a barrister and routes into law. Then, the mock trial started and Springfield Year 9s were the jury!

The 'trial' hinged on whether a defendant who had injured an intruder who had attempted to burgle his flat was justified in claiming self-defence or whether he was guilty of Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (Grievous Bodily Harm). Our pupils had to learn about the law on self-defence, listen to the evidence and then debate to arrive at a verdict. Unfortunately for the defendant, Springfield Year 9s found him guilty in a majority verdict.

This was a fantastic trip that gave all who attended an insight into the serious responsibility of jury service and inspired some to consider careers in law. We are so grateful to all from the Solent Careers Hub, the University of Portsmouth and City of Portsmouth College who collaborated to make this event happen.