Bar Mock Trials

The Bar National Mock Trial Competition gives young people an exciting and innovative insight to the workings of the legal system. Now in its 17th successful year, it involves over 2,000 students, 200 barristers/advocates and 90 judges from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Finalist 2007/2008

Well Done to all teams which got into the final. The finals are at Liverpool Crown Court on 1st March 2008

Winners 2007/2008

This year's National Final was held at Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Liverpool on Saturday 1st March 2008. The sixteen Regional Heat winners from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland competed in three preliminary rounds in order to determine the top two finalist teams that would progress onto the Grand Final.

After a tense wait whilst presentations were made to all participating schools and league winners, Queen Elizabeth's Community College, Crediton (winners of the Plymouth Regional Heat) and Whitley Bay High School (winners of the Newcastle Regional Heat) were announced as the two finalists.

In the Grand Final the teams presented the case of Jordan Potter before an imposing panel of five judges and senior counsel from across the UK: HHJ Clifton, HHJ Harris QC, Brian Kennedy QC, Herbert Kerrigan QC and HHJ Roddy.

After a closely fought final, Whitley Bay High School were declared national champions. HHJ Clifton parised both teams on the high standard of their performances, noting the dramatic flair of the witnesses and the quality of all four barristers.

After eight months of hard work preparing for the competition the new national champions proudly received their trophy and prizes from the judges.

Winners 2006/2007

Lumen Christi College, winner of the Bar National Mock Trial Competition 2006/2007

A total of 158 schools have taken part in the Competition since the heats began in November last year with Saturday marking the culmination of months of hard work for the sixteen finalists. Judd School in Tonbridge and Ysgol Tre-Gib both won their Leagues but narrowly missed out getting to the final.

Suzanne Doogan from Lumen Christi played the role of a barrister. She said "The opportunity to work with real barristers and prepare a case has been a great experience. It gave us a real insight into how the justice system works”

Her teacher Dermot Hegarty added "I was impressed by how a number of shy students flourished and came out of their shells by taking part in the competition and the level of articulation and analytical skills was heartening to see. The actual day in court showed me how readily students rose to the challenge of such a pressurised setting. Their confidence shone through. The school was enlivened by our victory and the level of support has been fantastic."

Links

* [http://www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/main/comps.php?21 CitizenShip Foundation: Bar Mock Trial Competition]