Bar Mock 2024

On Saturday 30th November, Aquinas students joined peers from schools across Northern Ireland to compete in the qualifying heats of the Young Citizens National Bar Mock Trial Competition at the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast. Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School has been a long-standing participant in the competition and enjoyed much success, placing several times as National Finalists and National Winners in 2014. Just last year, Year 14 pupil Hugo Fearon was named the winner of the National Court Artist Competition 23/24.

Founded in 1991, the Bar Mock Trial Competition has earned the status of the largest and longest-running competition of its kind. It aims to help young people understand how the law and how it impacts their lives, giving them an insight into how the legal justice system works and the processes within it. Our team of sixteen students faced the gavel in the regional heat, having assumed roles in a criminal trial, such as prosecution lawyer, witnesses and jurors, alongside court reporters and artists.

In the months leading up to the competition, we were each given roles within specially written criminal cases and spent our time in enrichment preparing for legal arguments with the mentorship of three practising barrister mentors and Ms McGuigan. On the day of the competition, we arrived at the Crown Courts ready to go head-to-head with other schools to prosecute and defend our cases, and take on our duty to enact justice as jurors in cases presented by other schools. It was a long day of legal battle, but it was a remarkable opportunity to be watching these trials unfolding live and with some of the most distinguished Senior Barristers, King’s Counsel and Judges presiding.

The experience was incredibly valuable for all of us, especially for those interested in Law as it provided us with a deeper understanding of the positions, jobs and workings of the courtroom. The experiences and skills we gathered as a team, though, were far-reaching beyond the bench. As young citizens, we had the opportunity to grapple with key principles of justice and critical thinking, build empathy through stepping into the mindset of a range of character witnesses, and improve our confidence in public speaking and advocacy. Despite not placing this year, the process was a fun for all involved and invaluable as an addition to our CVs. One might say that the final verdict was a real win-win situation.

Eilidh McDonald

Court Reporter, Bar Mock Team 24/25