Judge Lady Brenda Hale was at the University of Bradford today to unveil its new mock courtroom, which she called a “magnificent initiative.”

The new facility, named the Lady Hale Court in her honour, will provide students with an opportunity to experience a courtroom atmosphere and develop their legal skills.

Lady Hale, who was awarded an honorary degree from the University in 2019, delivered a speech to students, solicitors and alumni, and held both praise and admiration for the new development.

“The city of Bradford has enjoyed a rich educational history and the university is rooted in the city it serves.

“The mock trials which will be held here will be a valuable learning experience for the students."

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus after her speech, Lady Hale said, “A mock courtroom, especially a realistic one like this, is a great way to introduce students and others to what it feels like to be in a courtroom, to learn about advocacy and whether they want to do it - it’s as important to learn you don’t want to do it as it is to learn you do want to do it!

“It’s also great for being able to practice being witnesses, which is a very scary thing, so to have the opportunity of trying it out, in a safe space, is a a huge opportunity for the students.

Lady Hale, 74, who was born in Leeds, was the first female president of the Supreme Court and has been a key figure in the breaking down of barriers, as well as being an advocate for more diversity to be introduced to the British judicial system.

Linking this to Bradford, she said, “Bradford is incredibly diverse. A lot of the students here are British Asian and it’s important that Bradford is a place where everyone from every community can feel comfortable.

“The University is a wonderful place, for its social inclusion and for how it includes people from all communities, and also for how deeply embedded it is in the city. As somebody who was born just down the road in Leeds, that is important to me.”

Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said, “We’re delighted to see so many people here to celebrate the opening of the Lady Hale Court, and it’s an honour to welcome Lady Hale.

“Lady Hale has led a pioneering career, being the first female to achieve so much, and I want to thank her for her contributions and her continuing work in this field.”

Also speaking was Professor Engobo Emeseh, Head of the School of Law, who said: “We hope the mock court will allow us to build relationships with communities and schools - together we can make the University be what we all know it can be.

“It’s important to see yourself in someone who you aspire to be like - as a woman, I look at Lady Hale and know that I can be successful.”

Ifrah Asif, 20, a law student at the University, also spoke and said: “Lady Hale has made such a difference to the legal world and it’s inspiring that she’s here. As women, we’re underrepresented, but having Lady Hale here proves we can still succeed.

In the run-up to the opening of the mock court, local schools took part in a mock trial competition - winners Bradford Grammar, runners-up Dixons Allerton Academy and third-place Hanson were all given awards by Lady Hale at the event.

Beth Norton, Shaan Aziz and Anna McCormack, year 12 students at Bradford Grammar, said: “We’re proud. This gave us an opportunity to do something we’ve never done before and it was great to meet Lady Hale - she also shows girls that if she can do it, so can they.”

Halima Hussain, Eman Troug and Sana Ahmed, year 12 students at Dixons Allerton, said they enjoyed the opportunity and it was beneficial. They said the mock court would show students how courts function and provide an insight into their future. They said Lady Hale had shown they could progress, especially as girls and also as ethnic minorities.