Our SJR Future Lawyers braved the elements of the storm on Saturday 7th December to participate in the National Bar Mock Trial Competition at Preston Crown Court.
The competition helps young people understand how the law touches every aspect of their lives, whilst gaining an insight into how the legal justice system works, developing a sound knowledge and understanding of the role of law and the justice system in our society.
In advance of the day, colleges are given access to resources, including specially written criminal cases, to help teams prepare legal arguments. After preparation, teams take part in a regional heat going head-to-head with other schools to prosecute and defend the cases in front of real-life Judges.
Winning teams then compete in a national final. The judges agreed that the standard this year was incredibly high and were impressed with all those who attended. Our students represented the college outstandingly, and though we didn’t win, they developed beneficial skills for the future, such as the ability to think critically, build arguments and oracy skills, and boost their confidence.
Through enabling students to interact with legal professionals and giving them the opportunity to participate in question and answer sessions, the competition helps develop employability skills too.
All the students thoroughly enjoyed the day and found the experience insightful, informative, and hugely beneficial for their ambitions to become lawyers.
