On Saturday 21 November, a group of Sixth Form students visited Bournemouth Crown Court to compete in the Bournemouth Regional Heat of the Bar Mock Trial Competition.
The competition involved a lot of rehearsing beforehand to ensure that our team was well prepared. Firstly, we were given the two cases which had their own story lines and roles to be filled. Once the barristers and witnesses were chosen, we had to make sure that our approaches to each character were realistic and consider the arguments that needed to made for both the prosecution and defence from the witness statements given. For each role in the competition, whether barrister, witness or court staff, the same amount of points were allotted so it was really important to get each one right. After the preparation, all that was left was to arrive on the day and perform!
Joseph Foye (12Bu), a prosecution barrister on the team, explained the process:
“Being in a courtroom can be intimidating at first, but once you open your mouth all the nerves just fizzle out. After the formalities and opening speeches, which introduce the case, it starts with the examination-in-chief of the first witness. This requires concentration; none of the questions can be leading, because it’s all about letting the witness tell their story.
“Cross examination comes next; this is the fun part for barristers! You’re putting pressure on the witness (who is representing the other side, and in our case the other school) to try and find flaws in their argument. If done well, the jury are persuaded to fall on your side. After all the witnesses have been questioned, it’s time for the closing speeches. This is the final chance to convince the jury to side with you, and so a good one is essential. Finally, after what feels like a very, very long wait, the jury give their verdict!”
For both law students and anyone else interested in gaining a better understanding of the court process, this was a fantastic experience. Our hard-working team made the whole process very rewarding and I would strongly recommend it to anyone.
“It was, for me, a complete eye opener to what the justice system was really like. To find out for myself what it was like in a court room has really cemented my love of law and my desire to become a criminal barrister. The whole experience itself was one of the most incredible and fun things I have taken part in. Not only did I have the most amazing time, it also has given me a drive for my future and a drive to succeed which will allow me to go into law after university.” (Chayleigh Jennings (12An), a defence barrister in the competition).
Bethany Catchpole 12 King