[zeezee180]

Im 16 and i want to pursue a career in law. There's a court a few minutes away from where i live and i was wondering whether i could go and watch a case?? Also how do i go about doing this?

[Sean9001]

You're perfectly able to. Just walk straight on in. Be aware, that if a case is particularly sensitive, despite being 16, a judge or magistrate may ask to speak with you - if you look young - and warn you of the nature of what you may hear.

You don't need to wear anything special. Jeans and a t-shirt is appropriate for the public gallery.

[zeezee180]

(Original post by Sean9001)
You're perfectly able to. Just walk straight on in. Be aware, that if a case is particularly sensitive, despite being 16, a judge or magistrate may ask to speak with you - if you look young - and warn you of the nature of what you may hear.

You don't need to wear anything special. Jeans and a t-shirt is appropriate for the public gallery.

ok thats great! do i need to take anything with me? like proof of identification or anything? I'm sorry im such a noob

[HomoSapiensSap]

(Original post by zeezee180)
ok thats great! do i need to take anything with me? like proof of identification or anything? I'm sorry im such a noob

Yes, you should do so. People as old as 19/20 get asked for a proof of ID - at least in the Crown Court.

[zaliack]

(Original post by Sean9001)
You're perfectly able to. Just walk straight on in. Be aware, that if a case is particularly sensitive, despite being 16, a judge or magistrate may ask to speak with you - if you look young - and warn you of the nature of what you may hear.

You don't need to wear anything special. Jeans and a t-shirt is appropriate for the public gallery.

I disagree. I think you should always wear smart clothes when going to court, 1) so you can get used to it in the future, and 2) just in case someones family is in the gallery, I always find it more 'respectful' to them.

[zeezee180]

Ok so what if I take like my passport with me? I'm going to a Magistrates? and yupp I'm probably going to wear a pair of trousers, a tshirt and a blazer hehe :P

[Crazy Jamie]

(Original post by zeezee180)
Ok so what if I take like my passport with me? I'm going to a Magistrates? and yupp I'm probably going to wear a pair of trousers, a tshirt and a blazer hehe :P

Magistrates tend to be a bit more curious about people sitting in the public gallery compared to Crown Court Judges. The majority of hearings are public anyway (which some exceptions, such as youth court, which you will not be able to watch), but it might be worth speaking to an usher at court and letting them now that you're interested in law and want to watch. They may be able to point in the direction of a specific court room that have a more interesting case than others going on.

[zaliack]

Also, it's good to remember that you can watch Supreme Court sittings in the comfort of your own home through this link:

http://news.sky.com/info/supreme-court

The next case is tomorrow, and it's about whether or not a business can force a landlord to sell some flats.

The following week is a case about a Catholic School trying to offload it's liability for millions of pound in damages from sexually abused pupils.

[Sean9001]

(Original post by zaliack)
I disagree. I think you should always wear smart clothes when going to court, 1) so you can get used to it in the future, and 2) just in case someones family is in the gallery, I always find it more 'respectful' to them.

Well, it's a moot point then. My work experience supervisor encouraged me to watch cases, and gave me the advice that I just relayed to the OP.

For what it's worth, I've also sat in Court of Appeal cases where people in the public gallery are dressed as casually.

Edit: 'pubic' gallery, changed to 'public' gallery. Courteously identified by chalks!

[chalks]

(Original post by Sean9001)
Well, it's a moot point then. My work experience supervisor encouraged me to watch cases, and gave me the advice that I just relayed to the OP.

For what it's worth, I've also sat in Court of Appeal cases where people in the pubic gallery are dressed as casually.

Sorry, but that missing 'l' will always make me laugh...

[Sean9001]

(Original post by chalks)
Sorry, but that missing 'l' will always make me laugh...

I'll give it to you! That is the BEST mistype of my life

#unexcitinglife