Our Year 11 Legal Studies class had the incredible opportunity to visit the District Court and witness firsthand the workings of the legal system. We observed the summing up and sentencing in a serious criminal case, giving us a powerful insight into how justice is delivered in real-life situations.

Following the proceedings, we were fortunate enough to have a personal discussion with Justice McDonnell, her associate, and both the defence and prosecution barristers. They generously shared their experiences and answered our questions about the legal profession, court procedure, and the complexities of the case we had just observed.

We were also extremely fortunate to watch some Magistrates Court cases and enjoyed an impromptu chat with Magistrate Nigel and the Police Prosecutor who also generously gave up their time to chat with us and allow us to wander around the Magistrate’s Court – including an amazing opportunity to go in to the not-so-opulent holding cells; a once in a lifetime experience (hopefully!!).

It was a wonderful and highly educational experience that brought our classroom learning to life. Seeing the law in action and hearing directly from professionals in the field deepened our understanding of the justice system. A truly excellent excursion.