Magistrate impressed with standard of AS law students

Collyer’s A-level Law students welcomed Mary Hamilton, a local magistrate who sits on the Northern Sussex Bench. Mary gave a talk to AS Law students on the different roles magistrates perform, including sentencing of offenders, both of which form an integral part of their AS course.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Apr 2015, 13:36 BST

Head of Law at Collyer’s, Helen Mayer-Dean, was delighted: “Mary is a charismatic and knowledgeable speaker. She was able to fully update students on current practice and legal developments within the magistracy, which is a vital focus of their studies.”

During this session Mary asked for the student’s opinions on what they thought about areas of law and helped them participate in an interactive session debating whether prison works and alternative forms of punishment available.

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Throughout the session, the students were fully engaged and asked Mary questions about her work as a local magistrate and the rights of convicts in and out of prison.

Mary, who has been on the Bench for an incredible 36 years, was impressed with the high standard of the students.

She said: “This has been one of the best sessions that I have been to throughout my many years of experience.”

Mary also gave a very personal account of her journey into the magistracy and the students were able to ask questions about her work.

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Helen Mayer-Dean added: “On behalf of Collyer’s, I would like to say thank-you Mary for kindly giving up her time to speak to our learners. The sessions have been incredibly well received and we really appreciated her so honestly sharing her personal experiences of being a magistrate over the past 36 years. Her selfless public service has certainly struck a chord with us all.”

Report by Student Reporter Selina Polat Picture contributed by Collyer’s