Salford Business School Law students recently took part in the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme with the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary at Manchester Crown Court, taking another step closer to their dream careers.
Ten students took part in the experience, which allowed them to further their understanding of the justice system by experiencing a real-life case from a Judge’s perspective. Judicial shadowing offers students valuable insight into the daily proceedings of a Judge, such as preparing for a trial/hearing, case management, hearing applications, sentencing, determining applications and giving judgement or decision.
The students spent two days shadowing their assigned Judges, strengthening their analytical skills, attention to detail and enhancing their court room awareness. They developed their professional communication skills by interacting with various court staff, boosting their confidence in the navigation of the legal environment.
Third year Law student, Mays Naddaf, commented: “I would 100% recommend it. It’s not only eye opening, but also incredibly inspiring. You’ll learn things to build on your knowledge from textbooks and lectures. It gives you a real world understanding of the justice system and it can open doors to further opportunities in the legal field. I now feel like it’s a real possibility to become a Judge and not just a distant goal.”
The students built pivotal industry connections and were exposed to further opportunities, where they could pursue more hands-on roles in court to continue developing their legal skills. These experiences are crucial within students’ educational journeys as they provide clarity on their chosen career and reaffirm their hard work when studying for exams.
Senior Law Lecturer at Salford Business School, Louise Hall, added: “Opportunities such as these allow students to immerse themselves in the real-world experiences of their classroom-based learning. They have had the opportunity to observe the many nuances of a court, whilst also gaining insight from key industry connections that they will carry through to their professional careers.
“The responses from the students involved have been exceptional. They have all come away from the experience with increased confidence and determination to reach their goals.”