“Legal English, Law and Literature” - Mock Trial Event at UWED

On May 22, 2026, the English Language Department of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy organized an interactive educational event titled “Legal English, Law and Literature” at the courtroom of the UWED Law Clinic. The event combined literature, legal English, and practical courtroom experience through a series of mock trials based on the works of renowned legal thriller author John Grisham.

Within the Legal English course requirements, second-year International Law students studied John Grisham’s The Guardians, while members of the “Reading Grisham” club read and analyzed A Time to Kill. Inspired by the courtroom scenes and legal issues presented in these novels, students prepared and demonstrated mock trials reflecting the major court proceedings from the books.

During the event, participants presented three courtroom trials: the conviction of Quincy Miller, the exoneration of Quincy Miller, and the trial of Carl Lee Hailey. The mock trial based on A Time to Kill was performed by the active members of the “Reading Grisham” club, consisting of students from the International Law and International Relations faculties.

The event was organized by the English Language Department under the coordination of Vokhidova N.N. and Taylor Nauflett, whose guidance and support contributed greatly to the successful implementation of the project.

The event highlighted students’ strong understanding of courtroom procedures, legal terminology, and advocacy skills. Through role-playing judges, attorneys, witnesses, and defendants, participants demonstrated both their legal English proficiency and practical communication abilities in a courtroom setting.

A special guest of the event was Dr. Feruz Akobirov, English Language Programs Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent. Dr. Akobirov presented students with a collection of legal English and fiction books as gifts, encouraging further development of reading and professional language skills.

At the conclusion of the event, certificates and gifts were awarded to the participants by Borisova Y.V., the Head of the English Language department. In her speech, she encouraged students to continue studying English, emphasizing that language proficiency opens new academic and professional opportunities and serves as an important path to success in the legal field and beyond.

The event became a valuable platform for students to connect fiction with real courtroom practice and strengthen their legal English competencies in an engaging and practical environment.