Winners of the 23rd Bar National Mock Trial Competition announced

Students aged 15-18 competed in the final of the 23rd annual Bar National Mock Trial Competition on Saturday 22 March at Cardiff Crown Court.

The format took that of a mock courtroom, with students playing the roles of barristers and witnesses and each team being assigned a case to prosecute or defend. The competition was won by students from the Aquinas School in Belfast, who beat 16 other finalist teams who had been the best in their regional heats across the United Kingdom.

The final was judged by Eleri Rees, judge and recorder of Cardiff, Mark Mulholland QC, chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, Stephen Hockman QC, former chairman of the Bar Council, Sir Rupert Jackson, the lord justice of appeal and Lord Turnbull, the crossbench peer, Dulwich College’s chair of governors and the former principle private secretary to the prime minister.

Nicholas Lavender QC, chairman of the Bar of England and Wales, said on behalf of the competition’s partner funders: "The Bar Council is delighted to support this competition, which engages over 2,000 students every year and is now in its 23rd year [of] helping young people to understand important issues surrounding citizenship and the justice system. In addition to providing financial support, the Bar Council is extremely proud that over 300 barristers and 90 judges volunteer their time each year to bring the legal system to life for the Bar National Mock Trial Competition - especially at a time of great challenge for many parts of the Bar. The Bar Council is committed to enhancing understanding of the law and the legal profession, and this is just one of the ways in which we help to provide young people with a meaningful insight into our legal system."