The School were delighted to welcome back His Honour Judge Philip St John-Stevens and Oliver Saxby QC to take part in the annual Benenden Mock Trial recently, running in-person for the first time in over two years.
Following a dinner in which Benenden students had the opportunity to discuss life as a barrister or judge and ask questions about the law, 20 Sixth Form students were actively involved as barristers, witnesses or jurors in the Mock Trial, which was presided over by His Honour Judge St John-Stevens.
The defendant in the case, played sensitively by Eloise, had been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm following a night out at a cocktail bar. After hearing the witnesses’ evidence and intelligent questioning by the barristers (Marianne and Anna for the prosecution and Caitlin and Larissa for the defence), the jury reached a verdict of not guilty.