“It was an absolute privilege to appear before a prestigious bench of judges at the Old Bailey and to perform oral advocacy. Pleading at one of the oldest courts in the United Kingdom alongside other highly ambitious aspiring barristers allowed me to push myself out of my comfort zone. Thinking on my feet and formulating arguments, eliciting evidence from performers, and responding to the judges' intervention was an experience that will always remain memorable.”
Mattas Afzal, LLB Law student
27 April 2022
Student awarded for 'Outstanding Oral Advocacy' in mock-trial competition at Old Bailey
Second-year law student Mattas Afzal reached the national Grand-Finals of the BBP Advocate of the Year competition and was awarded the BPP Pupillage Commendation Prize for 'Outstanding Oral Advocacy'.
Following what judges described as an “excellent performance” in the regional heats, where Mattas competed alongside 70 students from 35 of the UK's top universities, Mattas secured a place in the Grand Final, which took place at London's renowned Old Bailey on 26 March 2022.
The final consisted of a criminal trial in the morning and a civil trial in the afternoon, during which all finalists were assessed on advising clients in conference, examination in-chief, cross-examination, and oral advocacy.
Praised for his “excellent and persuasive manner” and “outstanding promise as a future barrister”, Mattas was awarded the BPP Pupillage Commendation Prize for 'Outstanding Oral Advocacy'.
He said, “I was delighted to be awarded this honorary recommendation prize by the judges for my oral advocacy. In addition to acting as a source of motivation for me to pursue a career at the Bar, it showed me how much I am yet to achieve as an advocate.”
“Being a law student at King's has provided me with invaluable legal opportunities, especially mooting. King's Bar and Mooting Society has played an integral role in my development as an oral advocate. The experience I’ve gained from taking part in the range of moots they host has enabled me to confidently walk into this competition. Also, the network of individuals I’ve met through studying at King's has been critical in my success. Specifically, special credit must go to Tristan Greene, my fellow student and previous winner of the competition, who mentored and supported me throughout the course of the trial.”
Mattas Afzal, LLB Law student