On 7 February, LLB law students Lucy, Mindy and Eloise took part in a Mock Family Law Hearing. This mirrored courtroom proceedings for a Child Arrangements Hearing, with the students representing their clients’ wishes regarding when their children should spend time with each parent. The outcomes of the hearings were decided by practicing magistrates, with support from their legal advisor.
We decided to take part in the hearing as a result of our experiences in other advocacy competitions, including mooting (which focuses on legal rather than factual points), and shadowing barristers in real cases. Examination of witnesses is not something any of us had previously done before, so it was an exciting opportunity to put into practice what we have witnessed in court, as well as to advance our advocacy skills. We are all studying family law as one of our second-year modules, so it was also interesting to be able to put what we have learnt into practice, and to develop our knowledge further into aspects of child law.
What roles did you play and how did you find the experience?
Eloise acted as barrister for the claimant father, and Lucy and Mindy both acted as barrister for the respondent mother (in separate mock hearings). We all thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to develop our advocacy, particularly with the importance of thinking on your feet in cross-examination. We had to adapt our planned questions in response to the answers given, and it was sometimes challenging to ensure this aligned with our clients’ interests. We were all nervous about this, as well as how to manage our preparation before the hearing, but completing it hugely boosted our confidence in putting ourselves in these situations, as well as for our future careers.
The encouragement and feedback from the magistrates and legal advisor were a large part of this, as they made the hearing very immersive and realistic, whilst making it feel manageable and enjoyable. We were also pleased to share the experience with the other participants, including the students acting as solicitors and the legal advisor, who commented on feeling similarly about acting in different roles and getting insight from experts.
As students with more experience in different areas of law, such as criminal law, we learnt a lot about the differences with the family court system. A key part of this was how to achieve outcomes which are in the children’s best interests through balancing the beliefs of the parents, and statutory provisions, including the Children Act 1989 s1. Following the trial, we discussed this in depth with the magistrates, with one noting that family law proceedings see no losers – it is all about what is best for the children.
How has your legal knowledge and practical skills improved from taking part in this activity?
Applying the concepts we have learnt within our degree to a case was a very worthwhile experience. It helped us to see the connection of what we are studying to what we wish to do, as well as giving us practical experience of advocacy in the form we aspire to.
We would all highly recommend getting involved in the events put on by the Law School, and in connection with the Law Clinic, as they provide unique opportunities to develop advocacy skills, with feedback from experts and practitioners.
For us, they have greatly complemented the events we have attended as members of law societies, notably the Bar Society and the Criminal Justice Society. With the constant reminders of how difficult the legal industry is to enter, it is encouraging to gain experience and insight, as well as invaluable to have on your CV. Most importantly, this experience gave us a greater understanding of what practice looks and feels like, which further fuelled our aspirations.