Mock Trial 2013

On Saturday 9th March twelve students and budding lawyers, from Years eight and nine, took part in the 2013 Mock Trial Competition at Bournemouth Crown Court.

All the hard work in preparation for the event paid off as out of a possible six hundred points the Highcliffe team finished in second place, only seven points behind the overall winners.

In November, the students were presented with the case. Morgan Cruickshank (played by Caitlin Hartigan) was charged with common assault contrary to section thirty nine of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Caitlin had the excellent George Smith and Eoin Burgin defending her against some stiff opposition. In their role as lawyers the students were poised and presented their case to the court so well that the magistrates reached a not guilty verdict in this case.

The witnesses, Grace Bullard and Ralph Roberts, were not rattled by the intimidating questions thrown their way and spoke eloquently and convincingly. All the witnesses and the defendant were shepherded carefully up to the witness stand by the usher, Charlotte Lake who confidently ensured order and procedure was adhered to throughout the trial.

The case for the prosecution was presented by Megan Kydd-Coutts and Lucy Arkle. Both lawyers were clear, determined and at times quite intimidating in their approach to the witnesses. Megan ran rings around the opposing defendant, who was left speechless and almost at the point of admitting guilt. The Highcliffe magistrates (Jack Gale, Callum Garrett-Long and Kira Marsh) considered all the points of the case and came to the logical conclusion, bearing in mind the burden of proof, that there was not enough evidence to convict.

The whole trial was overseen by the legal advisor to the magistrates, Lauren Stevens. She articulated all the points of the case to the magistrates and was especially mentioned by the judges for her eloquence, poise and ability to remember the facts.
All students worked incredibly well as a team, were a credit to the school and are particularly determined to make sure it is the winner’s trophy that they bring home next year.

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