Schools in mock trial competition (From Worcester News)

Schools in mock trial competition

8:58am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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PUPILS from 13 schools across Worcestershire are busy preparing their roles in the county’s heat of the 2010 national Schools Mock Trial Competition.

Held on Saturday, March 20, at Worcester Magistrates Court, teams of year eight and nine pupils from across the county will be competing against one another, taking the parts of magistrates, lawyers, defendants, witnesses and court staff in a specially written criminal case.

Their performances will be judged by real magistrates and other legal professionals, and afterwards liaison judge Alistair McCreath will present awards to the winners at Worcester Crown Court.

As well as the trophy presented to the overall winning team, there are also cups for the best bench of magistrates, and the most outstanding individual performance.

Pupils may also submit individual entries in the court reporter and court artist categories.

The mock trial competition, now in its 16th year, has proved a popular and exciting way for pupils to learn about the criminal justice system. They spend the weeks leading up to the competition studying the case and preparing their roles, assisted by local JPs and solicitors. This year’s case involves possession of a bladed instrument.

The competition is open to 12 to 14-year-olds in state-funded schools, with about 5,000 students from all parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland taking part annually, supported by hundreds of lawyers and magistrates who volunteer their services.

It is organised by the Citizenship Foundation in partnership with the Magistrates’ Association, supported by the Ministry of Justice.

Brian McCluskie, chairman of Worcestershire branch of the Magistrate’s Association, said: “It is a great way for students to learn about the role of magistrates and the legal system through hands-on experience.

“There is a great deal of enthusiasm in our schools for the competition – again, as in recent years, more schools in Worcestershire have entered than in any other county.”

Last year’s winners were first-time entrants St Augustine’s High School in Redditch who went on to compete in the regional finals. Last year’s second placed team, Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in Worcester, went on to win the regional event and compete in the national finals.

Worcestershire’s other success was Liam Pitchford, a pupil at King Charles I school, Kidderminster, who won the court artist prize in the 2009 national finals.

Schools taking part this year are: Aston Fields Middle School, Bromsgrove; Bishop Perowne CE College, Worcester; Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, Worcester; The Chase Technology College, Malvern; Tudor Grange Academy, Worcester; King Charles I School, Kidderminster; Nunnery Wood High School, Worcester; Pershore High School; Prince Henry’s High School, Evesham; St Augustine’s Catholic High School, Redditch; St Egwin’s CE Middle School, Evesham; Tenbury High School; Waseley Hills High School, Rubery.