In June 2024 Debating Matters held its North-East championship at Durham University’s Pemberton Buildings, in partnership with the Durham Union Society. Teams from six schools across the North-East of England gathered to battle it out for the top prize. Motions debated included:
Humanity should fear advances in artificial intelligence
Assisted dying should be legalised
Corporate sponsorship is good for the arts.
After an intense day of top-notch debating Yarm School emerged as the victors, narrowly beating Durham Johnston School in the final by convincing judges that Populism is not a threat to democracy.Team member Nila also won the ‘Best Individual Debater’ prize, in recognition of how well she demonstrated deep independent research, genuine engagement with the subjects at hand, and an ability to handle questions and feedback with aplomb. Her prize comprised six tickets to a Royal Opera House show and a week’s work placement at the Newcastle offices of law firm, Womble Bond Dickinson.
One of the unique aspects of Debating Matters competitions is the feedback the debating teams receive from a panel of judges, whose role is to pose questions to the debaters and encourage them to defend and develop their arguments, as well as helping them to build confidence in their own thoughts and ideas.
The format allows for students to meet with key thinkers and opinion formers, and to meet professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. In the past, judges have been able to point students in a helpful direction to enhance their career choices, and have even offered work placements.
This occasion was no different, with international law firm and Debating Matters sponsor Womble Bond Dickinson offering four days’ work experience to the winner of Best Individual, alongside tickets from the Royal Opera House to see a West End show.
Here, winner of the Best Individual award, Nila, reflects on her experiences at the law firm and what she learnt at her time with the company:
Nila from Yarm School receives her ‘best individual’ award from Baroness Fox of Buckley
Through being awarded best individual at the Debating Matters Durham Championships, I was thrilled to win a work experience placement at Womble Bond Dickinson’s and it has truly opened my eyes to the field of law.
Walking into the office building with limited prior knowledge, I was so excited to absorb all the new information I’d soon be exposed to. I was fortunate enough to shadow the trainee solicitors at the firm who all had extensive experience in their subject area and were so open to teaching and introducing me to the various departments within their firm. I even got the opportunity to immerse myself in tasks surrounding corporate law, employment law, real estate and property management. I was able to observe a statutory declaration, review a heads of term, draft licences, learn about the protocols involved in directing a company, calculate a SDLT return and write an article on the legal frameworks surrounding artificial intelligence in medicine.
I came out with a wealth of knowledge on the role of solicitors and the presence of their work in everyday life, and am incredibly grateful for having won this amazing opportunity.
Nila, Yarm School, winner of ‘best individual debater’
Debating Matters Durham Championship 2024
We are grateful to our supporters and prize sponsors:
