Sixth Form visit the Old Bailey

18 Sixth Form students, joined by Mr Walters and Mr Dinu, stepped into the heart of the British justice system with a visit to the Old Bailey, which is the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.

Mr Walters shares his experience of the day, and what our Sixth Formers took away from their visit:

“We sat in the public galleries of court, observing attentively as the judge and barristers discussed the specifics of the case. We were struck by the strict security rules upon entry to the building, the intense scrutiny with which the judges questioned the barristers, and the specialised language used in court (e.g. “I would submit, my Lord, that…”). It was humbling, informative and most thought-provoking.

Thereafter, we went to Gray’s Inn Chambers. This is one of the Inns of Court – the historic societies that educate and train barristers in England and Wales. We had a private tour around the building, including the beautiful library, conference room and facilities for studying. Our students also received plenty of useful tips from our guide on how to successfully apply to become a barrister during and after university.

Finally, we had a tour around the cathedral-like Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ), expertly guided by a barrister. Students asked pertinent questions about the history of the RCJ, as well as its present-day function.

Whilst not all students on the trip intend to study Law at university, many plan to complete a Law conversion after their undergraduate degrees. Students therefore appreciated this insight into what their professional future lives might involve.”

The experience brought the drama and discipline of the legal system vividly to life. It was a rare chance to see justice in action at one of the most renowned courts in the world. An inspiring day for all!