This work-study placement took place during my final year of law school, Spring 2016.
This was an incredible opportunity. The Remand Hearing Scheme is open to all final year law students aspiring to pursue a career at the Bar. Eligible candidates are nominated by their respective law schools, limited to three students per session. Sessions are held twice a day every Wednesday during March and April. I was nominated by my Law of Evidence lecturer to the scheme. The scheme involved joining a bench of magistrates before the scheduled hearings of the session and examining files. After addressing each file and defendant, a private meeting was held to determine the outcome of he hearing. The presiding Chief Magistrate of the session would then submit the bench's decision to the court for immediate effect. Throughout the entire process, I was constantly quizzed and mentored in order to receive a hands-on experience of the criminal litigation process at its first stage.
