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My Street Law Experiance

When I applied to participate in the street law programme I did not know what to expect, but I felt that it was too good of an opportunity to let pass by me. Handing in my application form I was still unsure as to whether I was doing the right thing, as a slightly quite natured person the thought of teaching law to a class full of students was terrifying, but I am so glad that I bit the bullet and applied and was selected to complete the module.

It was definitely one of the highlights of my law degree to date, it was great to get out of the lecture halls and be in schools teaching topics that we believed was in the best interests of the students that they be made aware of them. The two main topics we covered with our class of students was cyberbullying and assault. The feeling I got leaving the school after a lesson and knowing that you actually taught those students something, and made them aware of those areas of the law was amazing.

The cyberbullying lesson was definitely a lesson that was of massive importance, we made the students aware of the effects cyberbullying can have on an individual, their family and even the community and it was a class that really hit home with the students and made them realise that their actions online can have consequences. Another lesson we done with the students was the Michael Morton case, we stuck up 12 pieces of A3 sized evidence all over the classroom walls and allowed the students to be detectives for the day and come to their own conclusion as to whether Mr Morton was guilty or not guilty of the murder of his wife. The students loved this activity, with one student even asking for a trench coat and magnifying glass so he could really get into character.

The whole street law experience concluded with a mock trial which took place in Lyit, the mock trial saw our school be the defendants and another school be the plaintiffs. This allowed the students to work as a team, see how a courtroom functions and be made aware of all the work and effort that goes in to preparing a case for court.

I honestly really enjoyed completing the street law module, it was a lot of work but also a lot of fun and I am walking away from this experience with so many more skills than I had before I applied for the programme, my public speaking skills and confidence has sky rocketed and my organisational and time management skills have also been greatly improved. I would definitely advise anyone thinking of completing this programme to do it, it was a great experience!

Amy Bambrick – Third year law student.

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