Most lawyers can rely on case law, witnesses and precedent to make their case – but what is it like preparing a trial when your eyewitnesses are long dead and you’ve just the Magna Carta for help?
Case for the defence: The law team who will be defending Simon De Montfort against treason charges
Students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have been finding out as they prepare to put Simon De Montfort on trial for treason tomorrow night.
Presiding over the case will be Supreme Court Judge Lord Sumption, and a jury will decide the fate of De Montfort University’s namesake.
The event is part of celebrations at DMU and around Britain to mark the 750th anniversary of the first Parliament being called by de Montfort, who was the Earl of Leicester.
The Parliament, which lasted between January and March 1265, included knights from each county and two common citizens from English’s cities and boroughs.
It marked a seismic shift in the political process which would eventually lead to the system employed today of elected representation.
Prosecuting counsel: The students will each present part of the prosecution case to Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption
Prosecuting the case are George Emery, Kelly England, Jasmin Mohammed, Stacy Odogwu, all Law students, and Alpesh Jethwa, studying Law and Criminal Justice.
“It’s been quite a challenge,” said Alpesh, “but it’s been rewarding too. There’s no case law because this was the first time this had ever happened.
“We have to look at politics, the role of law then and now, and the definitions of treason now and back in the 13th century.”
Defending Simon de Montfort are Courtney Bent, Nadia Kobarenko, Dale Ghanem, all LLB Law students, and Elena Malajko (postgraduate, international business law).
Courtney said: “A lot of the time we had to rely on aspects of law Magna Carta but we have found a few other sources. We have been researching parts of this since before Christmas, and looking at the history of battles and the role of barons.”
Nadia added: “To argue a case before a Supreme Court judge is an incredible opportunity, but we are quite nervous!”
The teams are advised by Dr Alwyn Jones, a constitutional law expert and principal lecturer in Leicester De Montfort Law School and Alistair Jones, principal lecturer in DMU’s Department of Politics and Public Policy.
Posted on Wednesday 28 January 2015