Richard Huish College, in Taunton, has officially launched the Huish Law School with a law conference and opening ceremony for their new law facilities.
The facility includes the first mock courtroom to be built on a college campus in the South of England, a classroom, and large-scale legal art murals. Attending the launch were the many companies who had volunteered their time, skills and funds to make the new learning environment possible.
Approximately 18 months ago, Rowena Mudge, Course Manager for Law at Huish wrote to 74 organisations to share her vision for a Huish Law School.
Rowena said: “It is the department’s vision to be the centre of choice for law for young people and we aim to achieve this by being hard-working, honest and acting with integrity.”
The Huish Law School has been established to offer students an educational ‘experience’ rather than just a qualification. Students are provided with a range of enrichment, including The Law Society (sponsored by Davitt Jones Bould), mooting competitions, and opportunities such as the law conference, where they can interact directly with professionals.
This year’s conference included talks and workshops by a district judge, Avon and Somerset police dog unit, Exeter City Council, Davitt Jones Bould, NCA, The University of Law and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Wickes was the first company to respond to Rowena’s letter, offering a flooring donation which kickstarted the mock courtroom project. Former Taunton MP, Rebecca Pow, then approached the Minister for Justice and many meetings were set in motion. The HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and Equans saw the department’s passion and everything began to get underway.
Tom Spalding, Deputy Director of Facilities Management and Technical Services at HMCTS, said: “This initiative demonstrated HMCTS’ commitment to sustainability while providing law students with an authentic environment for their practical legal education.
“Hearing the students’ first-hand accounts of the positive benefits this outstanding new facility is delivering was enlightening and Equans should be commended for their remarkable efforts and their commitment to corporate and social responsibility.”
The entire project was managed by Equans, who are HMCTS’s facilities management and projects partner. They provided a dedicated team of 18 volunteers over five days to support and coordinate creating a courtroom experience that is as close to the real thing as possible.
Law firms AmicusLaw and Davitt Jones Bould provided financial aid. Davitt Jones Bould, who was one of the first companies to respond, will continue to provide support through sponsorship of the Huish Law Society.
Huish student, Isabella, said: “As a law student, the courtroom, the new graphic displays, mooting, the Law Society, all of it, is just so inspiring.
“It is clear how valuable it is to learn law in an environment that replicates the career I want to pursue. With A Levels looming ever closer, it’s easy to become demotivated or to feel overwhelmed, but every time I enter the courtroom it reminds me that what I do now will lead to the career and future I want to have. It motivates me to keep working hard so that one day I’ll be walking into one of these but for real.”
At the launch, speeches were made by Huish staff, Equans, the Huish Law Society presidents, Huish Mooters and A Level Law students, before the ribbon was cut by Taunton MP Gideon Amos (pictured).
The courtroom has provided a spectacular backdrop for the future of the Huish Law School. The department’s vision is to continue to offer high-quality education and remain in the top 10% of the country for outcomes. Furthermore, Huish wishes to become a centre for good practice, offering more enrichment and continuing to welcome visitors from other colleges to share in professional development. Current enrichments include Huish Mooting and the Huish Law Society.
More information about the Huish Law School will be available at the college’s upcoming open event on Wednesday, April 30: Summer Open Event 2025 – Richard Huish College.
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