Pupils in 'courtroom' drama

YOUNGSTERS played out a courtroom drama when they visited an Ipswich law firm.

YOUNGSTERS played out a courtroom drama when they visited an Ipswich law firm.

Prettys turned its boardroom into a makeshift courtroom to give pupils from Sidegate primary school an insight into the workings of the law.

The children took part in the mock trial as part of its Journey Project, which is aimed at helping them to think about how decisions they make can affect their future.

The youngsters played various roles, including members of the jury, barristers and spectators.

Chris Cumberbatch, a solicitor in the wills and probates department who has been working as a mentor to the school for several months, put together the mock trial with trainee solicitor Sarah Grundy.

“It has been a privilege working with the children, largely to help give them ideas about the options the world of business has for them when they are older, and also as a “non-teacher” sounding board for them,” he said.

“This exercise was to give them the experience of a real trial and the implementation of justice in the UK. Their reaction was fantastic and everyone had a great time.”

Sidegate primary head teacher Andrew Waterman said it had been “a great day”.

“We all learnt at first hand how different parts of a courtroom work and how evidence is presented by both sides and then how decisions are reached by the jury,” he said.

“Chris has been a great inspiration to our school and the support he and Prettys solicitors have given us and our Journey Project has been outstanding.”