RESIDENTS and students played judge and jury in a mock trial at Hendon Magistrate Court yesterday.

In a bid to make the court system more transparent, Justice Minister Claire Ward, along with students and community members, debated the sentence of a fictional offender.

The event entitled 'You be the Judge', saw students from Barnet College and Middlesex University as well as officers from Hendon's Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Hendon Islamic Centre take part.

The Justice Minister also used the proceedings to launch the You be the Judge interactive website, aimed at informing the public about the sentencing process.

Law students from Middlesex University helped make sentencing more realistic by role playing the opposing legal teams.

Student Arron Laverty, 23, volunteered to play the part of the offender and said sitting in the dock was not what he had imagined.

“It was a bit weird and quite intimidating, even though I hadn't actually done anything,” he said.

Using remote control keypads to choose one of four verdicts, participants were surprised to find magistrates were far tougher in sentencing than the general public.

For the crime of common assault, the public sentenced the offender to 50 hours community service, whereas the magistrates jointly decided 200 hours was more appropriate.

Justice Minister Claire Ward said: “Today's exercise confirmed my thoughts that magistrates are often tougher than the public.

“I feel very strongly about opening up the court system, people need to see how we arrive at sentences and improve public confidence in the system.

“This proves that when the public have to take into account what magistrates do, they realise what a difficult choice it is.”

Nottingham Magistrate Trevor Greaves, who chaired the mock trial, said the event also highlighted their role.

He said: “It's amazing how little the community knows about the court system.

“Many people are surprised that magistrates are volunteers. We are not paid and we don't need to have a legal background. We're just ordinary people.”

Middlesex Uni law lecturer Caryl Bryant said: “This is a great opportunity for the student to learn the court system, especially our first year students, who we encourage to go to court.

“It's really informative, they get to see how the legal system works and how decisions are arrived at.”