Magistrates Mock Trials by Katie

Lytchett Minster School winning the Magistrates Mock Trial’s local heat for Dorset was a great achievement for both the pupils that took part, and the school. The mock trials took place at Poole magistrate’s court on Saturday 14^th March 2009.  Lytchett Minster where competing against Portchester school, Bournemouth school for girls and Highcliff school.

The aim to win the competition was to work well as a team, as well as the ability to think on your toes. The team was made up of three magistrates, two prosecution lawyers, two prosecution witnesses, two defence lawyers, a defence witnesses, a defendant, a legal adviser and an usher. The case that the team had to stick to was ‘Halloween Egg Throwing’. This involved many statements about the case, explaining what had happened. The competition was judged by real life magistrates. They were judged according to a strict judging criteria. The team had to dress to a very high courtroom standard, as you would in a real court situation. As you can probably imagine, it was very daunting for the team, as it was like a real court.

The team where coached by their English teacher, Miss Bishop. She quotes "I am very proud of the whole team. They have all, without exception, worked very hard and it has been particularly challenging for them as this is the first time Lytchett Minster School have entered this competition. We are now all looking forward to the Regional Finals at Southampton Crown Court on 16th May."

The team where awarded a silver trophy plate that was allowed to be retained in school.