|
LOCAL
STUDENTS IN COURT TO COMPETE IN NATIONAL FINAL OF MOCK TRIAL
COMPETITION 2008
STUDENTS from
local school Chesterfield High will travel to Liverpool this
Saturday to compete in the National Final of the Bar Mock Trial
Competition 2008. The Final is the culmination of UK wide
regional heats which saw over 150 schools competing for a place in
the national final on 1 March. Chesterfield High won the Liverpool
heat of the competition to secure a place among just 16 schools that
are now due to appear in the final.
The Bar National Mock Trial Competition sees teams of students aged
15 to 18 taking on the roles of jurors, court staff and barristers
to tackle complex court cases, in the setting of a real working
courtroom. This year the students address instances of arson and
theft, testing their skills of argument and reasoning, and expanding
their understanding of the law, as they compete to present the most
powerful cases in both prosecution and defence.
The final will take place in Liverpool at the Queen Elizabeth II Law
Courts. For the 16 schools taking part it marks the finale of months
of work, assisted by dedicated barrister volunteers who advise
students on court procedure and points of law and provide a
real-life perspective of how trials work.
Now in its 17th year, the Competition is organised by the
Citizenship Foundation. Tony Breslin, Chief Executive of the
Citizenship Foundation commented:- 'The law affects every part
of our lives, it features in the news we read and underpins society.
This competition provides students with an exciting and innovative
way to learn about how the law is relevant to them and provides the
citizenship skills to help them engage effectively in society as
active, informed and responsible citizens.'
The Bar National Mock Trial Competition is sponsored by the General
Council of the Bar, the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, the Faculty
of Advocates, the Inns of Court and the Circuits, also supported by
Her Majesty’s Courts Service.
Timothy Dutton QC, Chairman of the Bar Council, praised the
competition, commenting:- 'The National Bar Mock Trial
Competition is an excellent opportunity for young people to develop
an understanding of our justice system, and to develop their skills.
The Bar Council is proud to be involved in the Competition. The
enthusiasm of the students, the dedication of the judges,
barristers, court staff and organisers all combine to make this
competition a great success’. |
Law
Society and NSPCC slam plans for 2500% rise in court fees for
vulnerable children
THE Law
Society and NSPCC are warning that plans to increase court fees in
care proceedings by more than 2500% could deny vulnerable children
access to justice and expose them to serious risk.
The government, in their consultation Public Law Family Fees, has
proposed a dramatic increase in court fees for care proceedings from
£150 to £4000, which NSPCC and the Law Society warn could deter
local authorities from issuing care proceedings to save money.
Although the government plan to set aside £40 million for local
authorities for this hike in court fees, this funding will not be
ring-fenced, meaning the welfare of many children might be dictated
by financial considerations.
Andrew Holroyd, President of the Law Society, says:- "This
rise could effectively price children involved in care disputes out
of court and deny them the right to justice they need. Rather
than court proceedings being issued it is likely that compromises
will be reached that are influenced more by financial considerations
than what is best for these vulnerable children, leaving them at
risk and without a voice."
NSPCC director and chief executive Dame Mary Marsh said:- "It
is a matter of public interest to ensure that children are kept safe
and have access to justice. There is a real and serious risk that
vulnerable children and their families will be prevented from having
full access to justice if these proposals are implemented because
some decisions about taking proceedings in relation to vulnerable
children could be finance led."
The Law Society and NSPCC are concerned that local authorities may
pursue other strategies to avoid the high costs in care proceedings
where a child will not be represented, such as giving parents a
second chance in cases of neglect or encouraging them to agree to
the child being voluntarily accommodated temporarily instead of
issuing proceedings.
Andrew Holroyd says:- "The interests of children are in danger
of being made a secondary factor under these plans when they should
be central. The Law Society will be working with NSPCC to ensure
these concerns are expressed in the consultation process." |
