London Calling

Many of our students aspire to careers at the Bar, while others are still uncertain if they want to be barristers or solicitors, or wanted to know what to expect if they went for an interview for the BVC. A glimpse into the glamorous world of barristers beckoned ....

Law lecturers Darran Chapple and Muazzama Ahmed took a party of students to London to visit the Inns of Court, the Old Bailey and the Royal Courts of Justice, and experience dining at the Inn.

Rising to the Challenge

Darran Chapple reported a drastic change in his students. Usually struggling to make 9am lectures, thirty eight of them dragged themselves from their beds to make it to college for 5.30 am and for the coach to London.

Middle Temple

The first port of call was the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.

The verger showed us around Temple church and explained some of the history of the Inner and Middle Temples, which date back to the Knights' Templar and the crusades.

Temple Church

The Grand Hall - Middle Temple

We enjoyed a tour of the Grand Hall and learnt about the historical significance of the Middle Temple and its association with historical figures such as Plowden, Shakespeare, and Sir Francis Drake. We were also shown the Queen's Room and the Parliament Chamber, and heard of the association of the Inn with the Royal family.

Our students then went to the Gallery, which overlooks the Dining Hall and spoke to Christa Richmond about joining the Inns and pursuing a career at the Bar.

 

 

 

Called to the Bar

We then had a upon a quick tour of the Middle Temple Library where Bar students sat snoring over the law reports. We tiptoed past trying not to wake them as our stomachs rumbled in need of lunch.

At 12.30 Darran's stomach thought that his throat had been cut and a couple of Muslim students pointed out that their fast did not start for another week, so Darran told the students to disperse and find sustenance. Before he could say the immortal words "see you in court" they vanished.

Then stomachs full and throats refreshed it was time to go to court.

The Old Bailey

Having passed through extensive security checks the students observed a murder case. The case was less than thrilling as it did not focus on guns or bludgeoned knives but rather an expert witness who explained at considerable length how mobile phones are used. Our students, experts in the use of mobile phones themselves, had to face one harsh fact. Even criminal law can be mundane at times. However, most seemed pleased to have been in the Old Bailey.

Inner Temple and Lincoln's Inn

Upon leaving court we went for a tour of the Inner Temple Hall, which had been arranged by LLB2 Advanced Standing student Kenny Singh. The Inner Temple Hall marked a stark contrast to the imposing 15th century features of the Middle Temple. It had been flattened during the war and rebuilt in the 1950, so was modern, bright and airy.

Students also saw Lincoln's Inn

Dining in Style

At 6.30pm we initially gathered on the gallery overlooking the Dining Hall at the Middle Temple where the tables had been formally set, the lights dimmed and candles lit.

Closing Arguments

As the evening came to a close the Master Treasurer invited everyone in Hall to feel free to join the newly appointed benchers in one of the private rooms for a drink and a chat. Well, you don't have to ask Liz and Beccie twice. Off they went.

Then at half past ten Darran successfully led my weary students to the coach. With a little coaxing from Angela Farrell the party burst into song and eventually we all arrived safely back to waiting, fathers, brothers and frozen vehicles at 3am. It was a long day and exhausting day... but nearly everybody wanted to do it again!.