No5 Chambers sponsors University of Law Plea in mitigation competition

No5 Chambers sponsored the University of Law Plea in Mitigation competition, which took place back in May, and was judged by Mark Heywood QC.

The heats of the competition consisted of the contestants submitting a DVD/Memory Stick of the Plea in Mitigation concerning a man who had been prosecuted for causing death by driving whilst uninsured.  The case required knowledge of the system of obligatory disqualifications from driving, penalty points imposed for driving offences and the system of totting up disqualifications.

Five students were put through into the final. 

The final consisted of a plea in mitigation in connection with a burglary case where the two defendants, who were 18 and 19 years of age, had targeted the victim due to being homosexual. Whereas the case in the heats required detailed knowledge of the disqualification from driving procedure, this case required good use of the sentencing guidelines for burglary. 

Alex Pountney was declared the winner.

Michael Burrows QC, of No5 Chambers, presented Alex with her prize this week. Faye Whapples, from the University of Law, also attended to see Alex receive her prize.

L-R: Michael Burrows QC, Alex Pountney, and Faye Whapples.