Aspiring lawyers reach courtroom challenge final

ASPIRING young RGS lawyers are preparing for a courtroom battle after winning through to the final of a prestigious mock bar trial competition.

The school’s lower sixth form law society members worked late into the night preparing to face Manchester's Parrs Wood Sixth Form and Trinity Academy Halifax in the first two rounds, which were played out online in front of a team of legal experts in the University of Bradford competition.

Sixth former Aria Writer said: “We were ecstatic to get through to the final, especially as this round will be in person, presented at The Lady Hale Moot Court, with Judge Rose from Bradford Crown Court presiding.

“This time, we will enjoy the opportunity of a much more authentic experience, including wearing caps and gowns.”

In the first rounds, the nine-strong team was given two hypothetical cases to present to a judge, using current laws and legislation to defend or prosecute their clients.

Having triumphed in both cases, they will now face Bradford Grammar School in the final at the end of April.

Aria explained how students did all their own research, learning about the legal process and systems while discussing tactics, often late into the night.

“As we've analysed, compared and formulated responses to each case, creating questions and highlighting inconsistencies and disparities, in order to form coherent lines of questioning, we've gained an invaluable insight into the law,” she explained.

“There have been lots of late nights going over our cases and making last-minute alterations, it's definitely been a significant commitment.”

It was a huge challenge, she said: “But areas of difficulty, like only being given a week’s notice for each case, has highlighted the reality of being a barrister. The work is short-notice and time-consuming.

“It's difficult, yet the result can be very rewarding. We've learnt how to work better as a team, how to negotiate, whether that be in the courtroom or with each other in deciding roles and priorities, and how to overcome adverse and unforeseen complications, such as those prevalent in a court environment.”

In the first case, students argued for the prosecution in a criminal damage dispute over a university students’ Halloween prank gone wrong: “The team performed really well, winning 73 points and placing us first in that round,” said Aria, 16.

The second case involved defending a client accused of assault after a player’s cheekbone was broken in a football match header.

“Again, we had a very successful round, earning 77 points, making a total of 150 points over the two rounds, which established us in first place going into the final,” said Aria.

Every member of the team had a chance to play both barrister and solicitor: “Everyone had to work and contribute behind the scenes before they could present,” explained Aria.

“Working around A-levels and other commitments was difficult during the preparation and the cases themselves were tough, especially when faced with bad witnesses or people straying from the order of proceedings,” she added.

“I've loved competing and engaging in the debate, as have the rest of the team, and I think we can all say that we're glad to have participated and gotten this far. Whether or not we go on to win the final, I don't know, but I have high hopes for our team.”

Head of careers Bob Walker said students had to push themselves out of their comfort zones, thinking on their feet under pressure: “Whether they decide to go into law or not, this is something they can put on their personal statements and CVs which really makes them stand out.”

The mock trial competition for local schools, first launched in 2020, is an annual event run by the University of Bradford.

A spokesperson said: “A mock trial is a really good way to build students’ skills, not only for those who would like to study law, but for all students in terms of transferable skills, such as communication, advocacy, research, analytical thinking and team working.

"For those who are considering law, it gives them a taste of an aspect of what a career in law might involve."

The RGS legal team: Aria Writer, Leora Zucker, Alexa Turner, Ava Turner, Evy Reed, Charlotte Nicol, Florence Jarvis, Chola Malama, Zara Ali