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Media Release: "A Day in Court: A seminar for student leaders" on 2 June 2016
1 As part of State Courts’ outreach efforts to enhance the community’s understanding of their work, the State Courts organised a seminar for Secondary 3 student leaders on 2 June 2016.
2 The seminar, entitled “A Day in Court: A Seminar for Student Leaders”, gave the participants an overview of the Singapore criminal justice system, such as the problem-solving approach adopted by the Community Court which hears cases involving young offenders. In addition, participants also learnt about how certain community disputes, such as those between neighbours, could be amicably resolved through mediation, instead of going through a trial. A total of 67 student leaders from 34 schools attended the seminar.
3 Student leaders are well-placed to influence their peers positively. With the knowledge gained in the seminar, they can share with their peers what they have learnt about the Courts, and crimes generally committed by youth offenders and the consequences to them, their families and society at large. Furthermore, the seminar exposed them to the alternative dispute resolution options which they may consider using to resolve disputes that they might encounter in their daily lives. It is hoped that the seminar can promote a better understanding of the work of the Courts and foster good community spirit in the students.
4 The main highlights of the programme were two role-play activities. The first activity saw participants taking on the roles of the “offender”, “prosecutor”, or “defence counsel” in a moot court session based on a case study of a youth involved in an unlawful assembly. The second activity saw participants role-playing the stakeholders involved in a mediation session held to resolve a community dispute between neighbours. In both activities, participants explored and discussed real-life issues and the possible causes of the offending behaviour and neighbourly dispute as depicted in the case studies. During the moot court session, the participants presented their views in their respective capacities before a Judge¹ for his sentencing considerations. 5 Through the programme, the participants were able to appreciate that for the Courts to be fair and effective in their administration of justice, many factors and various perspectives are taken into consideration for every case. The participants were also encouraged to consider issues in their schools holistically so that they too, could formulate effective solutions for different situations.
5 Through the programme, the participants were able to appreciate that for the Courts to be fair and effective in their administration of justice, many factors and various perspectives are taken into consideration for every case. The participants were also encouraged to consider issues in their schools holistically so that they too, could formulate effective solutions for different situations.
“I think that this programme is a very enriching one as it gives students the opportunity to get an insider view of court hearings and mediation sessions, which is something that normal people would not get to experience on a day-to-day basis.”
- Cheryl Vanessa Devan, CHIJ Secondary School (Toa Payoh)
¹The role of the Judge was role-played by a court administrator.
“The programme was very meaningful in educating us about Singapore’s Justice System. The activities were very interesting and interactive.”
- Mohamad Givari Zulfan, Yusof Ishak Secondary School
Role-play activity in a moot court session
Role-play of a mediation session
ISSUED BY : STATE COURTS
DATE : 2 June 2016
For further information or clarification, please contact:
(1) Mr Henedick Chng, Assistant Director, Communications Directorate, at 6435 5652 or henedick_chng@statecourts.gov.sg
(2) Ms Michelle Chiang, Assistant Director, Communications Directorate, at 6435 5179 or michelle_chiang@statecourts.gov.sg
2 The seminar, entitled “A Day in Court: A Seminar for Student Leaders”, gave the participants an overview of the Singapore criminal justice system, such as the problem-solving approach adopted by the Community Court which hears cases involving young offenders. In addition, participants also learnt about how certain community disputes, such as those between neighbours, could be amicably resolved through mediation, instead of going through a trial. A total of 67 student leaders from 34 schools attended the seminar.
3 Student leaders are well-placed to influence their peers positively. With the knowledge gained in the seminar, they can share with their peers what they have learnt about the Courts, and crimes generally committed by youth offenders and the consequences to them, their families and society at large. Furthermore, the seminar exposed them to the alternative dispute resolution options which they may consider using to resolve disputes that they might encounter in their daily lives. It is hoped that the seminar can promote a better understanding of the work of the Courts and foster good community spirit in the students.
4 The main highlights of the programme were two role-play activities. The first activity saw participants taking on the roles of the “offender”, “prosecutor”, or “defence counsel” in a moot court session based on a case study of a youth involved in an unlawful assembly. The second activity saw participants role-playing the stakeholders involved in a mediation session held to resolve a community dispute between neighbours. In both activities, participants explored and discussed real-life issues and the possible causes of the offending behaviour and neighbourly dispute as depicted in the case studies. During the moot court session, the participants presented their views in their respective capacities before a Judge¹ for his sentencing considerations. 5 Through the programme, the participants were able to appreciate that for the Courts to be fair and effective in their administration of justice, many factors and various perspectives are taken into consideration for every case. The participants were also encouraged to consider issues in their schools holistically so that they too, could formulate effective solutions for different situations.
5 Through the programme, the participants were able to appreciate that for the Courts to be fair and effective in their administration of justice, many factors and various perspectives are taken into consideration for every case. The participants were also encouraged to consider issues in their schools holistically so that they too, could formulate effective solutions for different situations.
“I think that this programme is a very enriching one as it gives students the opportunity to get an insider view of court hearings and mediation sessions, which is something that normal people would not get to experience on a day-to-day basis.”
- Cheryl Vanessa Devan, CHIJ Secondary School (Toa Payoh)
¹The role of the Judge was role-played by a court administrator.
“The programme was very meaningful in educating us about Singapore’s Justice System. The activities were very interesting and interactive.”
- Mohamad Givari Zulfan, Yusof Ishak Secondary School
Role-play activity in a moot court session
Role-play of a mediation session
ISSUED BY : STATE COURTS
DATE : 2 June 2016
For further information or clarification, please contact:
(1) Mr Henedick Chng, Assistant Director, Communications Directorate, at 6435 5652 or henedick_chng@statecourts.gov.sg
(2) Ms Michelle Chiang, Assistant Director, Communications Directorate, at 6435 5179 or michelle_chiang@statecourts.gov.sg
2021/10/14
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