Young People Learning About The Law – Bar Mock Trials
Every year more than 2,000 young people take part a Bar Mock Trial Competition in the UK. This competition aims to help young people aged 15-18 understand the purpose of the law and how the legal system works. And who knows, some of them may even go on to pursue a career in law!
The competition has run every year since 1991, involving more than 2,000 state school students, 300 barristers and advocates, and 90 judges. The students work in teams to defend and prosecute two criminal cases. They have to spend time becoming familiar with the cases and take on the roles of barristers/advocates, witnesses, court staff and jurors. Finally, they have to present their case against teams from other schools, battling it out in a real courtroom, in front of a real judge.
This year the Bar Mock Trial competition was celebrating its 25th year, and the final took place in London’s Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey. Local school Springwood High School won the Norwich heat and was one of only 18 schools taking part in the final at The Old Bailey. The team did very well and have progressed to the world championships, which take place in New York in next month. Gordon Dean Solicitors are very pleased to have helped by sponsoring the team and wish them the best of luck in New York!
If you’re a student or teacher at a local high school and are interested in taking part, you can find more information on the Law in Schools website.