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On Monday 1 June, students on Westminster City School’s Pathways to Law Programme visited the UK Supreme Court which is the highest court of appeal in the UK.

Students were treated to a guided tour and gained a deeper understanding of how the justice system operates. During the tour, students learned about landmark cases that have shaped modern Britain, including judgments relating to Brexit, human rights and assisted dying.

Students were also given the opportunity to sit in the Judges’ chairs, explore the courtrooms and take part in a mock trial based on a real legal case.

Year 12 student Amirah shared her reflection on the experience:

"One of the first things that surprised me was how modern the building was. I had expected it to be much older in appearance. I also found it interesting to learn how the judges are seated and how the Court is organised.

"The mock legal debate was one of the most engaging parts of the trip. My team represented the defence in a manslaughter case, and it was fascinating to compare our arguments with the actual judgment. The experience strengthened my interest in law and gave me significant understanding into the work of the Supreme Court."

Students also learned about the history of the Court and its role within the UK’s constitutional framework.

Year 12 student Kaltrina said:

"I really enjoyed the Supreme Court trip and found it both interesting and useful. One of my favourite moments of the trip was taking part in the mock trial and comparing our reasoning to the Court’s final decision.

"I was also surprised by how different the courtrooms looked from those you see on television. Being able to sit in the seats normally used by barristers and Judges made the experience much more engaging and helped me understand how the Court operates in practice.

As someone who hopes to pursue a career in law in the future, hopefully a Barrister, it was a lovely first-hand experience."

The Court, which was established in 2009, is open to the public and reveals a rich picture of our country's legal history. Thanks to Mr Evans, Pathways to Law Lead for organising this trip. The Pathways to Law Programme at Westminster City School continues to give students meaningful guidance into the legal profession while helping them make informed decisions about their future studies and careers.