A former Law student returned to Sussex earlier this month when he was invited to judge the Junior Criminal Advocacy Competition 2018. 

James Yates, who undertook the International Criminal Law LLM in 2013 before going on to complete the Legal Practice Course, is now a trainee solicitor at local firm Martin Cray & Co. 

James, who was also an advocacy student during his time at Sussex, was invited back to the Law School to observe first year students compete in this year’s Junior Criminal Advocacy Competition. 

A news story on the Martin Cray & Co. website explains that despite being presented with two ‘tricky’ sets of papers in the competition, the students made ‘well considered’ bail applications in front of a panel of judges, led by alum James Yates. 

The piece continues: “While the quality of the advocacy was high throughout – special mentions must go to the runner up, Nadia Mayer and the overall winner Isabella Hemsley-Taylor, who stunned the judges with a display of outstanding advocacy.” 

The award was presented by James, who commented: “During a difficult time for the criminal justice system, it is encouraging to see such passion and enthusiasm for practicing criminal law.” 

James will qualify as a solicitor in September 2018 and we look forward to welcoming him back to Sussex Law School again soon.