The Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition 2005
The Local Heat of the Mock Trial Competition was held at the Leicester Courthouse on Sunday, 5th March. This year two schools took part and they were Heathfield High School, Earl Shilton and Humphrey Perkins High School, Barrow-on-Soar.
The official welcome was given by Hilary Lewis, Chairman of the Leicester Bench, who also acted as a Judge of one of the trials. A number of magistrates, many from the Leicester Bench, took the roles of Judges, Lead Magistrates, Scorers and Court Stewards. The whole event was organised and run by Maggie Wilson, the MIC Branch Liaison Officer.
After the first trial the two schools were very close but after the second one Humphrey Perkins High School emerged as the winner. The certificates and prizes were presented to the two schools by Laurence Howard, Lord Lieutenant of Rutland.
Humphrey Perkins High School will take part in the regional Final at the Mansfield Court House on Saturday, 14th May 2005.
MW.
Background Information:
The
Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition helps young people gain an
understanding of criminal law, the criminal justice system and how the courts
work through taking part in a court trial.
The experience helps to build bridges between our legal institutions and
those who administer and run them. To
quote the Lord Chancellor, “I can think of no better way to introduce our
criminal justice system to young people than through this excellent
competition.”
Last year around 4,500 students from over 350 schools took part in
competitions held in Magistrates’ Courts in almost every county throughout
England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each
school has a team of twelve who perform the roles of lawyers, magistrates,
witnesses, court staff, court reporter and, of course, the defendant.
The schools take part in two Trials -–prosecuting in one and defending
in the other. During the
preparation for the competition the students learn about the law and legal
processes through first-hand experience gained by meeting magistrates, clerks
and solicitors.
The competition benefits students by:
Providing them with a valuable insight into our criminal justice system;
Fulfilling a number of learning outcomes in the new Citizenship
curriculum, which is now part of the National Curriculum;
Offering the opportunity for them to meet and talk to people involved in
the criminal justice system;
Giving them a chance to improve their public speaking skills and
self-confidence;
It calls upon the skills of listening, reasoning, arguing a case, as well
as “thinking on one’s feet”;
If they go on to further rounds, giving them the opportunity to meet with
others from around the country;
It is an excellent way for students to learn about the law from the right
side of the dock!