Magistrates' Court Mock Trial Competition
School teams go head to head in local Magistrates' Courts.
The Magistrates' Court Mock Trial Competition involves:
- 4,500 students in years 8 and 9;
- 800 magistrates and other legal professionals.
Over 95% of criminal cases (more than a million every year) are dealt with by magistrates, yet many people know very little about what they do.
The Magistrates' Court Mock Trial Competition, which has been running annually since 1994, introduces the legal system to young people in an innovative and exciting way.
In the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff, students prosecute and defend specially written criminal cases. Teams compete against each other in real Magistrates' courts in front of real magistrates.
What does it deliver?
This year, when asked how the students benefit from taking part, 95% of teachers said it improved their:
- knowledge and understanding of the legal system
- confidence
- team work
- public speaking
- ability to develop an argument
- analytical skills.
‘The competition is a challenging and fulfilling opportunity to watch students blossom in confidence and excel in a way they never thought possible.'
2010/11 Participating Teacher
‘[The competition] has helped to raise the aspirations of the students, some of whom are now considering law as a career.'
Teacher, 2010/11
How does it work?
We supply comprehensive preparation materials, such as a competition guide, lesson plans and a specially written criminal case.
School teams then play off against each other in local heats. The winners compete in a regional final and, in turn, those winners meet in a national final. The winner of the national final walks away with a shield, prizes for the team (which in the past have included book tokens for the students and resources for the school) and a deserving sense of pride.
The Magistrates' Court Mock Trial Competition is organised in partnership with the Magistrates' Association and sponsored by Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service (an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice) and the Jomati Foundation.
The competition is also sponsored at a local level by Cumbria County Council, Hampshire County Council, London Borough of Bromley, London Borough of Hounslow, London Borough of Islington, Metropolitan Borough of North Tyneside, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council and Wolverhampton City Council.
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