The Master’s in Law students visited the S. João Novo Court, accompanied by professor Sandra Tavares, to attend a trial hearing as part of the course “Obtaining and Using Evidence in Criminal Procedure.”

During the session, the students were able to observe first-hand how a trial hearing unfolds and how evidence is presented, including statements by the defendants and witness testimony. According to lecturer Sandra Tavares, this experience has clear educational value: “As this course focuses on criminal procedural evidence, and given that several students intend to pursue forensic careers, it is especially relevant for them to witness the production of evidence in a real context. It provides a bridge between theoretical knowledge and its effective application in judicial practice.”

Students Inês Morgado, Joana Ribeiro and Raquel Cardoso also shared a joint testimony on the importance of this practical experience: “It was particularly interesting to understand how each intervention contributes to the formation of the court’s conviction. It was an enriching opportunity that brought the theory studied in class closer to the concrete reality of criminal proceedings. In sum, this visit was essential to realise that Law is not just theory: it is humanity, conflict and truth in search of balance.”

The initiative follows the line of work set by the activities carried out in the previous academic year, which also included attending trial hearings and a visit to the Museum of Conflict at the Porto Courthouse. It reinforces the ongoing link between theory and practice in the teaching of the Master’s in Law at Católica in Porto, whose applications open in January.