National Bar Mock Trial Competition winners announced for 2023
updated on 28 March 2023
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On Saturday 25 March, UK schools went head-to-head in the National Bar Mock Trial Competition Final, which took place at The Royal Courts of Justice.
The competition, founded by Young Citizens in 1989, provides students aged 15 to 18 with unique insight into the legal profession.
Just over 1,900 young people from 22 schools across the UK came together to compete in person for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, developing their skills in public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork and legal literacy.
“Legal literacy is at the foundation of a thriving democracy. With nearly 2/3 of us not knowing our basic legal rights, programmes like Mock Trial Competitions are a vital way for young people to develop this knowledge and other key life skills,” said Young Citizens CEO Ashley Hodges.
At the competition, 11 judges, including previous Head of Criminal Justice the Right Honourable Sir Brian Leveson oversaw schools battling against each other to prosecute and defend two cases addressing topical legal issues, such as assault and possession with intent to supply.
The full list of school winners is as follows:
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Overall winners: Wirral Grammar School for Girls
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Runners-up: Loreto Sixth Form College, Bishopbriggs Academy, Keswick School and Plymouth High School for Girls
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Best new team: Bishopbriggs Academy
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Highest-scoring defence barristers: Keswick School and Nonsuch High School for Girls
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Highest-scoring prosecution barristers: St. Peter’s Catholic Comprehensive School and Brentside High School
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Highest scoring witnesses: Bohunt School, Presdales School, Brentside High School and Thinking Schools Academy Trust
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Best Court Clerk: BOA Academy
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Best Court Usher: Holmfirth High School
Nick Vineall KC, chair of the Bar described the competition as “a truly wonderful initiative for school students”, adding the event was “a great way to attract the best young people to the Bar of tomorrow. I am delighted the Bar Council supports this project that provides practical experience and a real insight into our profession”.
Hodges echoed this sentiment: “It is inspiring experiences like these that truly light the spark of active citizenship in young people and resonate throughout their lives.”
