Young Citizens Mock Trial Competition

On Thursday 17 March, lower sixth and fifth form pupils took part in the U18s Young Citizens Mock Trial Competition.

Young Citizens have been running the Mock Trial Competition since 1991, providing unparalleled exposure to the judicial system, and access to senior legal professionals.

The team were in a heat of 12 Independent schools and drew Shrewsbury School, King Edward VI and The Abbey School to face in their cases. During the heat, the team had the opportunity to act on behalf of the defence and prosecution in three cases as well as witness intimidation.

The competition is moderated by a Judge who presided over the courts and scores the team based on criteria such as clarity, quality of arguments, accuracy, non-reliance on notes and timekeeping.

The team did a superb job. Barristers’, Sofia L and Harry S contrasting styles partially shone during the witness questioning. Witness Toran H’s performance was a highlight in dealing with the onslaught from a hard-nosed competitor. The jurors had a long day of focussing on the evidence and making decisions for their separate trials. Ceaser M kept the team on task and converging on a decision.

The team scored highly on the day but narrowly missed out on a place in the final. Unfortunately, they did not get to face the team that got through but still enjoyed the day and are keen to explore organising a trial for younger years.

Wellington Futures are keen to encourage pupils in lower years to have more insight into Law, either as an academic subject at university or as a potential career path later in life and aim for such insight to enable them to make better informed choices about their 6th form study and beyond.

The mock trial will be followed by a one-hour session with the most up-to-date information about routes into law careers which is open to students from all year groups. If your in 4th form and would like to participate in the mock trial – either as a lawyer or courtroom artist – sign up using the form in the L9 or L10 Futures Bulletin before Tuesday 26 April at 6:00 pm.