Liverpool sixth formers emerge victorious from field of 2,000 students in final presided over by Sir Brian Leveson
This year’s Bar National Mock Trial Competition has been won by Wirral Grammar School for Girls.
The Liverpool sixth formers beat Steiner Academy Hereford in a grand final on Saturday afternoon at Edinburgh’s Court of Session presided over by President of the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court Sir Brian Leveson.
The glamorous head-to-head was the culmination of 18 rounds that have taken place since November. 2,000 state school-educated students have been involved in the competition — run by the Citizenship Foundation — alongside over 300 barristers and advocates and 90 judges.
18 teams from across the country reached Saturday’s final in Edinburgh, where they were whittled down over the course of the day in a series of mock trials.
The grand final saw Wirral Grammar School for Girls defending in a case about a theft at a music festival, with Steiner Academy Hereford prosecuting. In a closely fought encounter, Wirral edged it — with their delight evident as they celebrated the result (a video clip of the moment is below).
Afterwards, 2 Hare Court barrister Robert Rinder (pictured below) — famed for his daytime TV role as Judge Rinder — was on hand to award the winner’s gong. Further prizes were given for the annual ‘Court Reporter Competition’, which went to Megan Griffiths from South Downs College, and the ‘Court Artist Competition’, awarded to Lucy Short from Cronton Sixth Form. Legal Cheek editor Alex Aldridge and leading court artist Priscilla Coleman judged these categories.
Meanwhile, barristers Sarah Griffin and Niall Hunt were also honoured for their mentoring of students during the competition.
Previously
Leveson’s advice to wannabe advocates: stop bleating on about the blindingly obvious [Legal Cheek]
Lord Justice Leveson to brush up on Scots law as he heads north with Judge Rinder [Legal Cheek]