If only Humpty Dumpty had worn a safety harness, or used a scaffold with edge protection. Then he wouldn’t have found himself the subject of a mock trial in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday, 21 May.
An injured Humpty will appear as the plaintiff while his employer will be the defendant, charged with proving he was not negligent when he allowed Humpty to sit on a wall during working hours, with disastrous results.
The mock trial, performed by Bond Law students in conjunction with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, is part of the finale of this year’s Law Week – an Open Day at the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
Bond University Assistant Professor of Law Louise Parsons said student volunteers
had drafted the script of the Humpty Dumpty trial, and would appear in costume.
“It’s a fun thing but we follow proper court procedures, and the underlying legal and workplace, health and safety principles apply,” Assistant Professor Parsons said.
“The public gets to see a court in action and we showcase the importance of workplace health and safety.”
Law Week 2011 (16 to 22 May 2011) is an opportunity for Queenslanders to discover how law and justice supports the community. The Department of Justice and Attorney-General is leading the event by opening its doors and holding events in a number of courthouses around Queensland.
For more information, please visit: www.lawweek.qld.gov.au