Lady Hale Opens the University of Bradford’s Mock Law Courtroom
The University of Bradford’s mock law courtroom was recently opened by Lady Brenda Hale, president of the highest court in the land, which was unveiled in her name.
Famous for causing a stir when delivering the historic judgement that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament was unlawful last year, Lady Hale applauded the new mock courtroom facility aimed at bringing the gravity and drama of the UK’s justice system to life for students and also for the wider community as a space for potential witnesses to gain an understanding of the daunting courts process.
Bowman Riley supported the extensive remodelling of existing University of Bradford buildings to become the University’s focal point for the new Faculty of Management and Law including the mock courtroom facility. We played a pivotal role in the delivery of the building from condition surveys and feasibility reports to the full design of the project.
The 1980s buildings were dark and heavily partitioned and the refurbishment works increased ceiling heights, opened areas up with new LED lighting to create a brighter, healthier and more sustainable environment. The result is an interior that offers a contemporary and dynamic area for students enabling various space configurations to support modern learning methods with acoustic ceiling discs to absorb sound. The design was inspired by the tech sector with exposed services and building fabric creating an industrial feel that is offset by a colourful furniture package.
The faculty offers research, learning, exhibition and business incubation space. The key design challenge involved creating space for the various practical scenario areas including a Moot Court, an Innovation Hub, the Barclay’s Eagle Lab and the Bloomberg Trading Room.