Year 9 Magistrates competition - March 2025

The Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition helps young people understand how the law touches every aspect of their lives, gaining an insight into how the legal justice system works. Run by Young Citizens, it is an excellent way for students to get a taste of the law and experience a court case in a real courtroom – but also be on the right side of the law!

This year, seventeen Year 9 students headed off to Winchester Crown Court on Saturday 8th March, having rehearsed a case based on a real-life situation. This year, they had to deal with a case of ‘Possession of an Offensive Weapon’ and they were ready to commence court battle.

In the competition, each student plays the various roles of lawyers, witnesses, defendant, Legal Advisor, Usher, and Magistrates. The team have had weekly rehearsals for a couple of months but much of their preparation was done in their own time as the learning of statements and the writing of questions and speeches is a time-consuming extra. Advice and guidance are provided via the in-school rehearsals where students get the chance to run the case against each other – Prosecution V Defence. In the competition itself, they go up against different schools.

Our lawyers spoke eloquently and really put the opposing side through their paces, demonstrating impressive confidence.  Our witnesses and defendant had to learn their statement of facts thoroughly and they were ready for any tricky questioning from opposing lawyers, and our Legal Advisor and Usher had to steer legal proceedings within the courtroom itself, both speaking confidently and with evident legal understanding. In the behind-the-scenes discussion, our three Magistrates had to show just how much they had listened to the case and be able to debate the facts articulately. And finally, we had court artists and reporters avidly watching the goings on.

Our students really were amazing as they knew the case in such great depth and their legal abilities were second to none. Sadly, and to the surprise of many watching, they did not win on this occasion, but we can certainly all agree they did a phenomenal job and were indeed the true winners based on this. We are immensely proud of them, not only for their hard work and focus, but also for their maturity and dignity in the way they dealt with the outcome. We know many of them are already keen to sign up for the Bar Mock Trial competition next year once they hit Year 10 and we look forward to putting them through their court paces again.

A very well done to our team:

Mia K, Zoe M, Sienna P, Jessica M, Alex G, Natalia V, Athena P, Isla C, Clemmie A, William P, Lilea M, Emily V, Matilda P, Grace H, Chloe B, Esme O-V, Nicoleta D.