“The sense of self-reflection and critical, analytical Quarter thinking I gained from this century for competition truly developed me as a person.” Bar Mock Ryan, Wilmslow High School Trials!

WE This year the Bar Mock Trial NEED Competition turns 25. We will be YOU! commemorating this occasion in “Participating in BMT has given various ways throughout the year me an appreciation for the culminating in the national final in . UK legal system and changed However, we still need your support to my perception. I learnt that ensure the competition goes from strength to … the legal system in the UK strength. Ways you can get involved include: is extremely fair and justice is Volunteering as an advocate/ met to the best of our ability. mentor and helping a school prepare I have also learnt that a for the competition career in the law is accessible Writing cases for students to argue over to almost anyone who in the competition wishes to take it up and not Helping coordinate a regional heat just to a select few.” Acting as a judge at the heats Help bring the Leina, Walthamstow Academy If you are interested in getting involved please contact Sufiya Patel, Project Manager on law to life for [email protected] or call 020 7566 4155. If you would like to subscribe to our Law in Schools newsletter to keep Please contact us if you previously took part young people up to date with the latest news and in the competition, we’re keen to talk to developments, please email alumni to map the legacy of the project. Join: [email protected] Bar Mock Trials The Citizenship Foundation registered charity no 801360. Copyright ©2015 by the Citizenship Foundation. Citizenship the by ©2015 Copyright charity no 801360. registered Foundation Citizenship The

Citizenship Foundation Don’t forget to follow us on Be part of the largest, practical, court-based public legal 50 Featherstone Street Twitter to keep up to date education project working with young people across the UK. London EC1Y 8RT with the latest news regarding the Mock Trials Competitions www.mocktrials.org.uk and our 25th anniversary. www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk #BMT25 @MockTrials @citizenship

Brought to you by Funded by The Citizenship Foundation is grateful for the financial support it receives from the Law Society

For more information about how you can support the wider work of the Citizenship Foundation Contact Paul Bower, Director of Development, Corporate Partnerships • [email protected] • 07711 118388

The Citizenship Foundation’s system. Students take on the roles of “The legal system provides the Bar National Mock Trial /advocates, witnesses, court mechanism for resolving staff and jurors, and their performances Competition de-mystifies the are judged by real judges and senior disputes about our rights and justice system for young people, barristers. responsibilities: citizens of giving them the knowledge, tomorrow need to understand Now entering its 25th year, the skills and confidence to be the way it operates. How much competition is supported by the Bar better is it to do so while also legally capable. Council of and , the Bar developing skills in literacy, Library of , the Faculty of It is the only nationwide educational Advocates of Scotland, the Circuits and advocacy and debate? The Bar challenge involving real judges in real the four Inns of Court. The competition National Mock Trial Competition courts. Students, aged 15-18 years, also relies heavily on the support of Her provides all this in a challenging work in teams to defend and Majesty’s Court and Tribunals Service to and enjoyable environment. I prosecute two specially written criminal facilitate the hosting of heats in courts. encourage as many schools as cases developing their advocacy, Hundreds of barristers/advocates and communication and other employability judges volunteer their time in support of possible to take part.” and social skills, and improving their the competition and it simply would not understanding of the criminal justice be possible without them. Lord Justice Leveson

258 2,790 18 70 Total applications Student participants Regional heats Barrister Mentors

This year we increased the amount of local heats from 16 to 18. These new heats took place in Inner London and Preston and it meant more students than ever got to take part in the competition. 99% 85% 98% 92% 100 % 76% 79%

of students enjoyed of students agreed of students are now of students agreed of teachers of teachers found being of teachers found taking part in the that participating in confident that they that participating in enjoyed being involved in the competition being involved in the competition the competition would know if they the competition involved in the improved their impression competition improved

Statistics improved their had a problem which improved their competition of the legal profession and their knowledge and confidence involved the law understanding of those involved in the understanding of the the legal system administration of justice UK legal system

The Court Reporter and Court Artist competitions run alongside the main Bar Teacher responses regarding student Mock Trial Competition. They provide an opportunity to students who might not naturally be interested in a legal project to understand more about the law. skills improvement Court Reporter Competition The following graph shows the increase in students’ skills, as observed by their teachers: Ability to think critically and analytically The Court Reporter Calum Smith from Calday Grange Grammar School Ability to organise their workload Competition is judged also took part in this year’s Court Reporter Competition Ability to communicate information effectively nationally and this year the and had this to say: winner was selected by Ability to present in public journalist and editor of Ability to ask relevant questions legalcheek.com, Alex Aldridge. “The Bar National Mock Trial Competition … Ability to work to deadlines has gifted me invaluable experience … The role of the court reporter is to Ability to deal with challenging situations I entered this year as a court reporter, summarise the events of the trial something I had no previous knowledge or Ability to listen to the arguments of others and to transcribe and document experience in, allowing the opportunity for me court hearings for further use. Ability to build an argument to display and develop my writing skills in a In this competition, the court Team-working skills legal environment; a perspective I had never reporter watches the first round considered trying before. The experience led 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% of the regional heat and then me to interacting with new people who submits their report at a later date. shared common interests to me in a social yet competing environment! I was overwhelmed The national winner “Thanks to the BMT I have developed a profound and very unexpected respect for the of the Court Reporter with friendly and welcoming reception at the event with a real sense of community.” UK legal system. I now have knowledge of the different aspects involved in the trial of Competition 2014/15 is a case and the high levels of skill required to be successful. The experience has driven Megan Griffiths, South me to now pursue a career in the law whereas before I had always thought I’d be on Downs College the receiving end of a court case. Thanks for this new perspective.” Sherwin, 15, Student Prosecution Barrister, Walthamstow Academy Court Artist Competition This year we introduced the Court Artist Competition Mentor of “I have been very glad to have to the Bar Mock Trials and been able to participate in we had some fantastic such a superbly run event, for the Year many years now. The most entries of a very high standard. important factor is the students and what they The winner was selected by Award achieve in the course of the professional court artist Bar Mock journey from "raw Priscilla Coleman. Some of This year we introduced the Mentor recruits" to presenting a number of cases her work includes drawing at of the Year Award for advocates before High Court Judges... It never ceases to the trial of Rebekah Brooks. and barristers that support schools amaze me how the students embrace the to prepare for the competition. whole trial process, the preparation, the advice given to them by the mentors and the The national winner Reading the nominations, it was clear Winning entry: Lucy Short help provided to them selflessly and of the Court Artist that there are some volunteers who voluntarily by the teachers.” Competition 2014/15 truly go above and beyond the call of is Lucy Short, duty. Schools really appreciate the Winner: Niall Hunt, Bar Library Cronton Sixth Form support of a mentor, not least because College many students have very little contact with the legal profession and a visit by We would also like to give a a lawyer not only inspires confidence special mention to Maire for the competition but for future Kane from St Patrick’s aspirations also. Academy and Erin O’Neill “I have the Bar Mock Trial from King Edward VI The standard of the nominations was Competition to thank for Handsworth School. Special mention: Special mention: Maire Kane so high there had to be two winners: sparking my interest in a Erin O’Neill Niall Hunt, Bar Library and Sarah career at the Bar. As a Griffin, Exchange Chambers. student, participating in the competition gave me real Henry Prosser is the runner-up and confidence that I had what it “The Citizenship Foundation’s Court Reporter Competition is an excellent way we thank him for committing 13 years takes to become a barrister. As to inspire the next generation of legal journalists. The competition reminds to the competition. Special mentions to a mentor, I have taken great pleasure in seeing students that a career in law can exist beyond the paths of a solicitor or Kirsten Ward, Craig Dunford and the students tackle criminal cases, develop their Ciaran Roddy who received inspiring barrister. Furthermore, it highlights the important role the media has in advocacy skills and have fun in the process.” nominations from their schools. We presenting cases and explaining important legal decisions to the public.” also show our heartfelt recognition to Winner: Sarah Griffin, Exchange Chambers Alex Aldridge, founder and editor of Legal Cheek all the other advocate and barrister mentors for volunteering with schools across the UK. “I have been involved with the Citizenship Foundation’s competition for some years and consider it a most worthwhile project providing young Case study Nasteha, participant in 2014/15 regional heat. people with an opportunity to learn about court procedures and perform in Nasteha has long had potential to succeed but herself within a formal, carefully structured and a listener, and someone who was able to front of real judges…The standard of often seemed to find herself confronting environment that demanded crystal clear make well-judged and confident decisions for pleading and acting is impressive. They barriers to achievement: not fully engaging in communication and a fundamental respect for the benefit of the whole group. I am delighted exude so much confidence and lessons, tending to blame others for her own the opinions and the rights of others. The to say that this new outlook has remained enthusiasm for the competition. It is shortfalls, allowing disruptive behaviour to competition acted as a springboard for with Nasteha long after the competition is obvious that the advocates who work mask her own lack of confidence and belief. A Nasteha to implement numerous subtle over and she is rapidly expanding her BMT with the young people and their lot of Nasteha’s barriers centred on problems changes to her attitude and outlook that were acquired wisdom and moderation across all teachers give a lot of their own time to of communication and in particular seeing already inside her just waiting for the right of her studies and school life. this project.” situations through the eyes of others. The Bar outlet. Nasteha soon became a group leader The Hon Lady Rae Mock Trial did have a remarkable effect on within the BMT team and, most rewardingly, a Written by Stephen Bell-Brown, Nasteha in that it allowed her to re-present voice of reason and harmony, a moderator Walthamstow Academy