Hume’s brightest VCE Legal Studies students swapped their books for the bar table as Justice Rita Incerti took them behind the scenes of the courtroom.
Justice Incerti joined more than 30 VCE Legal Studies students at the Supreme Court of Victoria recently as part of the Victorian Bar Foundation’s annual work experience day.
The students, recipients of the Victorian Bar Foundation Student Achievement Award and Encouragement Award, joined Justice Incerti in Court Four, the Trial Division’s largest courtroom.
The awards, presented by Hume City Council, recognise academic achievement and ongoing commitment in Legal Studies.
Justice Incerti shared details about her journey from secondary school to Supreme Court judge and shed light on the work of the wider Court and legal profession.
“The work that goes on in the courtroom is only a fraction of the day-to-day work my associates and I do. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes,” Justice Incerti said.
“But above all, my job is to make sure everyone gets a fair trial.”
Students had the opportunity to explore the courtroom and sit in the jury box, bar table and media box. They were also able to ask Justice Incerti and her Honour’s associates questions.
Justice Incerti encouraged students to pursue a career they were passionate about and advised them to remain open to a variety of career paths.
“Your ATAR score is your arrival – it’s not your future,” Justice Incerti said.
“You’ve got to really care about what you do because you’re going to be working for a long time.”
For more information about the Supreme Court’s participation visit the Court Education Program webpage.