Citizenship Foundation: educating for effective citizenship

Bar National Mock Trial Competition

Young people from all over Britain battle out mock criminal trials in real crown courts, gaining an insight into the workings of the legal system.

Applications are open. Enter now!

The Bar National Mock Trial Competition involves:

• 2,000 students in years 10 to 13;
• 300 barristers and advocates;
• 90 judges.

Law is arbitrary to many people, not seen as something that protects them. How do you help people understand the reasons for making and changing laws and to appreciate the complex processes involved?

In the Bar National Mock Trial Competition students take on the roles of barristers and witnesses and present their case against teams from other schools. First they have to become familiar with the case. Then they have to battle it out in real courtrooms, in front of real judges.

Their performances are judged by Circuit Judges, Recorders (Sheriffs in Scotland) and senior barristers or advocates. Winning teams from regional heats then fight it out in a prestigious national final.

The Bar National Mock Trial Competition has run annually since 1991, involving over 2,000 students. It could not happen without the legal professionals who volunteer their time, including 300 barristers and advocates and 90 judges from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"The legal profession has been brought much closer to school children in a way that could not have been achieved in the classroom."
Participating teacher

"The Competition has grown tremendously from its inception 21 years ago, and now engages over 2,000 students every year with the important issues surrounding citizenship and the justice system. The Bar Council is delighted to support this important initiative to educate students about citizenship at an early stage, particularly at a time when the Government is reviewing its place as a National Curriculum subject.

The strong interest from state schools across the country demonstrates the important role that schemes like the Competition have to play in equipping students from state school backgrounds with a meaningful insight into our legal system, and a passion to become part of it themselves.”
Michael Todd QC, Chairman of the Bar Council

The Bar National Mock Trial Competition is sponsored by the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales, the four Inns of Court and the local Bar Circuits. It is supported in Scotland by the Faculty of Advocates and in Northern Ireland by the Bar Council of Northern Ireland.