On 24 October 2024, Jane Bickerstaff KC led Max Hardy, in the prosecution of Medea in the Supreme Court, presided over by Lord Lloyd-Jones. Mark Heywood KC and Kathryn Arnot Drummond defended. This was a moot trial organised by Classics for All which promotes the teaching of Latin and Greek and classical subjects in state schools.
Medea was indicted with murdering Princess Glauke, for whom her husband Jason abandoned her, and also her two sons with Jason. The prosecution case was based on the well-known play by Euripides, the Athenian dramatist. The defence case was founded on a contention that Euripides had invented the events of the play in the midst of his own marital strife. Medea was acquitted on a majority verdict.
Previous trials have included: Cicero (2023); Alexander the Great (2022); and Boudica (2021).
The trial was reported in The Times.
The trial can be watched on YouTube (Jane’s speech at 17:00 and Max’s speech at 42:10) here.
We are grateful to Lord Justice Singh for the opportunity to participate in such a worthwhile endeavour and to the Supreme Court for hosting it.
