A group of law and human resources students from Â鶹ƵµÀ, Leicester (DMU) posed as solicitors, barristers, claimants and respondents in a mock court hearing to discover how it feels to take part in an employment tribunal.
Hosted by Judge Saleem Ahmed at DMU’s law court in the historic Leicester Castle Business School for the second year running, the Mock Employment Tribunal focused on the subject of disability discrimination.
The event recreated a true scenario, with students and lecturers participating in roles as legal representatives.
Beth Miller, a senior lecturer in Human Resource Management at DMU, said the event had been run as a proper trial: “The session was not only engaging but enlightening and informative. The students enjoyed experiencing the role play and the realistic set-up, such as the judge and panel retiring to give judgement.
“A question-and-answer session at the end was a great opportunity for students to learn more from Judge Ahmed, who explained why he made that judgement and also explained to Law LLB students how they could improve.
“A simulated tribunal like this helps to develop personal skills and widen academic learning. Many second and final-year students attended, either to participate or to observe, and we are truly grateful to Judge Saleem Ahmed for giving his time and dedication to the students’ development.”
One of the Human Resource Management students attending the tribunal, Somaia Faruk, said she had really enjoyed the event: “It was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to broaden my view of what I should be expecting in my future career as an HR manager and also helped to show what I should look out for.”
Her coursemate Victoria Vercstein, an international student from the Republic of Moldova, also found the session helpful. She said: “The mock tribunal allowed me to gain important insights into a simulated legal proceeding. This will help me to apply this valuable experience and knowledge in my future HR career.”
Beth Miller added that she was looking forward to 2024 and the next opportunity to hold a similar mock tribunal for a new set of students.
Posted on Tuesday 4 April 2023