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James Qualtrough (Jamesq) is the Founder and Editor of Isle News and is based on the Isle of Man. Isle News is a news site for the UK offshore jurisdictions of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.

Law Students To Battle It Out In Court

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Related category: Jersey, Legal
(Isle News) Author: Jamesq on Thursday, July 16, 2009

Isle News, 16 July 2009 – Teams from De La Salle College and Jersey College for Girls will contest the final of the second annual BakerPlatt Youth Advocacy Competition in the Royal Court next week.

Nearly 120 students from five Island sixth forms took part in the first three rounds of the competition, which started earlier this year and saw 59 teams of two arguing their case against teams from other schools in a number of different court scenarios.

Those 59 teams have now been whittled down to just two – Tom McMinigal and James Rondel from De La Salle, and Stephanie Le Lievre and Bethany Corfe from Jersey College for Girls.

In the final, which takes place at 5pm on 24th July, the two teams will be required to take on the roles of the prosecution and defence in a mock trial. This year, the case will revolve around an alleged assault in a Jersey bar, and will include a number of acted witnesses.

As well as reviewing transcripts, cross-examining witnesses and arguing their cases, the finalists will each have to give closing speeches to the court, which will be presided over by the newly sworn Bailiff Michael Birt. BakerPlatt partner Stephen Baker and senior associate Emma Jordan, both advocates, will be acting as jurats.

The finalists will be judged on their preparation, delivery, quality of their argument and understanding of their case. The winning team will be crowned ‘BakerPlatt Youth Advocates for 2009’, be presented with a trophy and receive a week-long mini-pupillage at top London Chambers Seven Bedford Row, including travel and accommodation. The winning team’s school will also receive a trophy.

Advocate Stephen Baker, Partner at BakerPlatt, said:

‘Once again, we have been very impressed by the quality and maturity displayed by all the teams throughout the competition. That almost 120 young people have taken part this year is hugely encouraging and a reflection of the desire that exists in Jersey for legal excellence. It has been an extremely rewarding exercise for everyone involved and all teams taking part deserve praise. The final promises to be particularly interesting and we are fortunate that Michael Birt will be presiding over the final in one of his first roles as the Island’s new Bailiff.’

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