Carman Contracting completes charity project to build a replica courtroom for Richard Huish College’s Law School

James Selwood and Rory Carman, Carman Contracting's founders and directors, had the pleasure of attending the opening event on January 17th of the new state-of-the-art replica courtroom at Richard Huish College's Law School in Taunton.

Carman Contracting was involved during 2024 in this exciting initiative, in partnership with long-standing client Equans, to construct a new courtroom at the Huish Law School. The project was part of Equans' annual commitment to charity work and will give A-level law students practical experience in a real court environment.

Over four days, Carman's team transformed a regular classroom into a fully functional courtroom. This involved constructing the main features of an actual courtroom, such as a secure witness stand, a judge's bench, and a jury box. In addition to the structural work, our team installed a complete electrical system featuring LED lighting, dimmable fittings, and a live-streaming setup, allowing students to watch proceedings from the classroom.

The project was made possible with significant support from building supplies merchant Travis Perkins and local store manager James Embleton, who generously donated essential materials for the build. These included the wood panelling, acoustic panelling and ceiling materials, which helped to achieve the authentic look and feel of the courtroom.

The new facility will provide students with valuable experience in a simulated court environment. With nearly half of the school's students advancing to higher education in law or related subjects, and many others progressing to legal apprenticeships, this practical learning space will play a crucial role in their education.

James Selwood, Director of Carman Contracting, said, "Rory and I were proud to represent Carman Contracting at the official opening of the new courtroom. We're incredibly proud to be part of this great initiative. We believe in giving back to the community and supporting education, so seeing how this replica courtroom will make a difference for the next generation of legal professionals is rewarding. Projects like this remind us of the positive impact we can have beyond our usual work."