(Image above: AI generated mock up of how the courtroom will look)
Students preparing for careers in law at Bournemouth University will gain hands-on courtroom experience with the opening of a new learning facility.
Work is underway to create a replica of a Crown Court, known as a moot court, to help students build their advocacy skills and confidence in a real-world setting. The £350,000 facility, which is set to open in January 2027, will feature a judges’ bench, witness and jury boxes and legal counsel desks, providing a realistic setting for mock trials, mooting and debating competitions and skills-based learning for the Solicitor Qualifying Examination.
Students studying courses in law and criminology will be able to gain valuable experience in presenting arguments, answering judicial questions, examining witnesses, and navigating courtroom procedures before entering the profession. Students and academics from other disciplines, such as psychology, will also use the facility to explore how jurors make decisions, the factors that influence courtroom behaviour and the experiences of witnesses giving evidence.
The facility has been developed in response to feedback from current students. Mel Therese, who is studying LLB (Hons) Law and is a Faculty Rep for Business and Law, said: “I'm so pleased that the university has responded to student feedback to make this moot court a reality. Seeing something I advocated for as a faculty student representative come to life is incredibly rewarding. I can’t wait to return from my placement at Steele Raymond LLP and use this fantastic replica Crown Court to continue developing my advocacy skills, which will be invaluable as I work towards the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, while creating exciting opportunities for future students."
BU provides three undergraduate degrees in law, LLB (Hons) Law, LLB (Hons) Law, Media & Creative Industries and LLB (Hons) Law with Legal Practice (SQE). It also provides a range of postgraduate courses in law and criminology.
Dr Joel Carlton, Pro Vice Chancellor – Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, said: “This fantastic new facility will allow our students to experience the realities of courtroom practice before they enter the profession. It will help build confidence, develop practical skills and ensure that students are ready to make the most of future opportunities. BU already has an excellent track record of working in partnership with employers to develop the talent needed for a range of legal careers, and this new facility will further strengthen our approach.”
