Operation Burgundy: A Law Society Mock Trial
4 March 2024 - Academic
At the end of February, the Law Society held a much anticipated Mock Trial in Fisher Library. The case was one of complexity and intrigue: Ambika and Maya, two Lower Sixth pupils, were accused of being the centre of a smuggling operation of stolen energy drinks, nicknamed Operation Burgundy, stealing goods from shipping containers in Felixstowe and transporting them through Maya’s Royal Grammar School connections.
Upon entering the room, which had been transformed to look like a courtroom with a lectern for the barristers, a witness stand, and chairs for the audience as the ‘jury’, the defence and prosecution were ready to make their cases to the judge. The defence, Phoebe and Sasha, suggested that two other pupils might be involved. However, the truth was eventually revealed and the prosecution, Catherine and Annika, managed to sway the jury’s opinion and win the case with a close call of a difference of three votes.
Spectacular witnesses heightened the lively atmosphere with Mr Murphy as Detective Constable Villiers, Mr Bannister as Professor Vance, Alicia as ‘Harvest’, and Ambika walking up to the witness stand in sunglasses and opening an energy drink mid-trial, were highlights of the evening. The powerful statements and provocative questioning ensured a fun night.
Mr Fitzgerald (Teacher of History) said, ‘The mock trial allows the barristers (pupils) to develop their critical thinking skills in the initial case analysis phase, identifying weaknesses and gaps in hostile witnesses’ accounts by cross-referencing exhibits in the form of photographs, transcripts, bank statements, letters or whatever it might be. During the trial itself, the barristers must be agile and flexible, probing witnesses but also showing agility in responding appropriately to new or unexpected information. It allows barristers and witnesses alike to develop their public speaking skills. For the audience, doubling as the jury, the decision of guilty or not guilty is in their hands.’
Leanna
UV
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