WARRINGTON students took on the roles of barristers, jurors and courtroom staff when they took part in a “Mock Trial” competition.
The forensics and public service students from Warrington Collegiate had a day in court for the regional heat of the annual Bar Mock Trial Competition at Liverpool Crown Court.
More than 170 schools and colleges took part and Warrington narrowly missed out on a place in the final in London in March.
Orford student Louise Wright, 19, said: “We took on the roles of barristers, jurors and courtroom staff and then either defended or presented our case against other teams.
“We only have a short time to become familiar with the case. Then we have to battle it out in a real courtroom, in front of a real judge.”
Performances were assessed by senior barristers and circuit judges.
Tina James, lecturer in public services said: “The competition aims to expand participants’ understanding of the law, develop their skills of argument and reasoning, and widen the knowledge students have of a career at the Bar.
“The students are judged on the level and detail of case preparation as well as their advocacy skills. This is the first time we have taken part so we weren’t quite sure what to expect. We’re really proud of them winning two of their cases and only narrowly missing out on a place on the London final.”
Pictured (left to right) are students Robbie Dobson (barrister), Nicole McColgan (witness), Amanda Strong (barrister), Nicole Dillon (witness) and Liam Stockton (usher and court clerk).
