Distracted taxi driver lands students in court

Sunday 15 December 2024

A distracted novice taxi driver on his first day in St Helier, a hazardous road, and a series of collisions and injuries have landed a group of students in the Royal Court.

But, rather than being there as a result of any misdemenour, the group were taking part in a mock trial - using notes on a fictitious case to debate competing schools.

60 students from across the island's sixth-forms took part – but JCG students Jess Dos Santos Hilario and Alexia Jennings were the top lawyers, with second place going to Leila Pateman and Grace Kemble, also of JCG.

The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, played the part of the Head Judge, with Collas Crill partners Nuno Santos-Costa and Damian James acting as Jurats. The 'Royal Court' itself was the States Chamber.

In a competition that followed the same formalities as a real-life court case, the panel judged the students on their persuasiveness – but also on court etiquette, clarity, body language and time-keeping, among other things.

Pictured: The Jersey Moot competition was described as an "immersive experience".

Jonathan Barham, Collas Crill Partner, praised the finalists, who he said "performed brilliantly and handled some particularly tough questions from the Bailiff".

He added: "I was impressed how they rose to the challenge and how eloquent they were in their responses. It was clear to everyone in the States Chambers how seriously the students had taken the Moot, and how much preparation they had done for the final.

"My congratulations go to Jess and Alexia for being our first Jersey Moot winners and a huge well done to Ruby, Iona, Charlie, Hayden, Leila and Grace.

"The Moot is a fully immersive experience for the students throughout the competition. Staging the Moot final in the States Chambers took it to another level. I would like to thank the Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq KC, for judging the final and for allowing us to stage it in the States' Chambers."

He added that trainees and junior lawyers coordinated the training and liaised with the schools, mentored the students and organised the final in "a real team effort".

Pictured - top (left to right): Grace Kemble and Leila Pateman, Damian James, Greffier Rebecca Morley-Kirk, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, Jess Dos Santos Hilario and Alexia Jennings, Nuno Santos-Costa.