Eleven of our students had the unique opportunity to attend the prestigious Boydell Lecture given by Lord Kerr of the Supreme Court, formerly the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. The students also had the chance, afterwards, to mix with, and talk to, some of the country’s top barristers and solicitors as well as a number of judges including Lord Hope, Lord Carnwath and Lord Dyson, all whom are Justices of the Supreme Court.
The lecture, which took place in the main hall of the Inner Temple in London, was entitled: “European Arrest Warrants - a European understanding of "judicial authority" as highlighted in Assange v Swedish Prosecution Authority".
Biology Teacher Dr Davies, who accompanied the pupils, said “This was an amazing opportunity for us to go into the Inner Temple and for the children to gain a real insight and knowledge into a very topical, complex and detailed part of the law. We learnt much more about how the interpretation of contentious areas of the law can affect all of our lives and just how intellectually challenging a career in the law can be.
“It was particularly pleasing that Tristan Lundberg, one of our former pupils, was able to join us from his last year at Cambridge University where he is hoping to gain a pupillage after completing his first degree in Modern and Foreign Languages. I would also like to thank the QC Greg Jones, one of our governors, for organising this for us.
“All of the students made the most of this one off opportunity and I hope this helps them in the future.” Sixteen year old Olivia Simpson aspires to be a barrister one day. She said “It was a very positive experience. The lecture focused on the loop holes in an argument and how a barrister focuses on the very tiny details to win a case. It really showed me exactly what a barrister does and how the best ones are those who do the most with the little details. It makes such a fundamental difference as people don’t always have the answers to the loop holes; that’s what makes them so powerful”.
“I was really fortunate to be able to speak to Lord Kerr afterwards and he was very nice and friendly. I was also very pleased to get to speak to Gregory Jones QC who gave me some great tips about becoming a successful barrister including how when you are in pupillage it’s really important to remember the judges’ and the other barristers’ names!
“I’m really pleased to have had this opportunity, and it has made me even more determined to go on to make a career in the law.”
Colfe’s Governor, Gregory Jones QC, was pleased to be able to help. He said: "I hope this experience has given the Colfe's students a valuable small taste of law and lawyers."