The Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition is part of the Law in Schools programme helping to create the foundations for students to develop into legally capable young people. It aims to introduce the legal system in an exciting way that has a lasting impact on all those involved, whilst developing students’ soft skills that will be of use throughout their lives. The pupils taking part in the competition are from many different backgrounds and walks of life. In the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff, students prosecute and defend specially written criminal cases. Teams compete against each other in real Magistrates’ Courts in front of real magistrates.

Last year, when asked how the participants benefit from taking part, over 90% of teachers and students said it improved their confidence, team work, presentation and public speaking, listening skills, ability to develop an argument and critical thinking.

The High Sheriff went along to watch and enthused; “What a brilliant Saturday at Guildford Crown Court seeing the students take on the roles of all those involved in defending and prosecuting cases, including having the opportunity to visit the cells below the court rooms. There was a palpable buzz all afternoon and the students were inspiring”.

Mock Trial Competition

Awarded 2019-2020