The LJMU Law Factor
28 February 2011
Nineteen year twelve students from 4 Merseyside Sixth Form Colleges recently spent 2 days of their half term holiday at LJMU taking part in the ‘Law Factor’ (a programme funded by Aimhigher).
The ‘Law Factor’ is a programme formulated by LJMU lecturers, Stuart Taylor and Ester Ragonese, in which year twelve students who are interested in studying Law at university have the opportunity to sample the subject area through various interactive discussions, activities and outings. The event was supported by five LJMU Student Advocates who gave the participants an insight into student life.
During the first day, students learnt about Law and its basic principles and practised their critical analysis and public speaking skills in areas such as Crime, Criminal Justice, Punishment and Sentencing. They debated past criminology cases and their rulings and decided their own sentences and punishments.
Day two involved a morning trip to the Liverpool Crown Court to view criminal trials first hand; collectively they were able to see pleas being given, juries being sworn in, witness statements and verdicts and sentencing for a number of different offences such as theft, robbery, rape and murder. During the afternoon students were given access to real case documents from the probation services and performed their own mock trial in LJMU’s Moot Room.
To mark their successful completion of the ‘Law Factor’ the attendees were awarded graduation trophy plaques as a sign of their achievement.
Michael Monaghan, from LJMU’s Aimhigher team said:
“All the students were very impressive and their feedback was extremely positive; not only has the ‘Law Factor’ gave them a real insight into how Law is taught at University and the kinds of careers it leads on to, but it has also inspired these young people to work harder in their studies and further motivated their passion for Law related subjects. These students will now have something very interesting to discuss on their University applications, which has developed their knowledge about Law and improved their critical analysis, team work, public speaking and debating skills.”
For further information about Aimhigher programme at LJMU please email Aimhigher@LJMU.ac.uk
