Kent Law School students exercised their advocacy skills in the annual Police Probationers’ mock trials held at Maidstone Crown Court during the summer vacation.
Law LLB students Ria Herbert, Theon Richards, Comfort Jarret-Coker and Mehrukh Ahmed participated in a number of cases involving drugs, offensive weapons and public order offences. Supported by Kent Law Clinic Solicitor Lucy Welsh and Law Lecturer Helen Strotton, the students alternated between performing the role of counsel for the prosecution and defence, questioning probationary police officers before a bench of local magistrates.
The mock trials are held each year to give Kent Police cadets experience of giving evidence in court and offer an excellent opportunity for law students to develop their advocacy skills.
The Kent Branch of the Magistrates Association provided a shield for the best student advocate, which was awarded to Ria Herbert. Ria will be now be put forward as a candidate for the Annual Advocacy Prize in 2016.
The next series of mock trials will be held on 5/6 October at Kent’s Medway campus. Students interested in participating should contact Law Lecturer Joe Thompson: j.m.thompson@kent.ac.uk
Students at Kent Law School also have options to develop practical legal skills by participating in extra-curricular modules in Mooting, Mediation, Negotiation, and Client Interviewing. Students who choose to take any of these four extra-curricular modules can hone their skills in local, national and international competitions.
Law students also have the opportunity of working in the Kent Law Clinic where they can choose to get involved in a number of ways, all of which can deepen and broaden their knowledge of law through a structured reflection on legal practice. Some students can have the full conduct of cases on behalf of clients, under the close supervision of qualified lawyers.