Debate Leaders

Magistrates Competition

The Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition helps young people understand how the law impacts every aspect of their lives, gaining an insight into how the legal justice system works. The competition aims to create confident young speakers who can lead and inspire other students to develop their oracy skills and become articulate thinkers with both the drive and capability needed to express themselves with creativity and passion.

Students are given access to resources, including a specially written criminal case, to help teams prepare legal arguments. Splitting into defence and prosecution, students worked together to prepare witnesses for questioning and cross-examination. The competition requires high levels of determination and commitment throughout the academic year as students delve into the case and develop their critical thinking skills by exploring the nuances of witness statements. After preparation, school teams take part in a local heat and go head-to-head with other schools to prosecute and defend the case. The winners then compete in a regional heat with a new case.

The competition is scored by a panel of magistrates who witnessed the court proceedings as well as the deliberation of the magistrates behind closed doors. Students are scored on their knowledge and understanding of the case, their following of court procedure as well as their oracy through the delivery of statements, questioning and response to questions. We are passionate about continuing to develop all of our students’ confidence with spoken language and our Debate Leaders are beacons of excellence which inspire and support others to speak up confidently. 

Our current Magistrates team (2024) achieved 1 st place in their local heat at Bradford Magistrates’ Court and are currently preparing to compete in the Regional Final at Derby Magistrates’ Court during the Summer term.