Law students at St Aidan’s C of E High School in Harrogate will be able to test their courtroom skills when they take part in a mock trial organised by a Harrogate criminal law firm.
McCormicks Solicitors have organised the mock trial, known as a moot, for all sixth-form students at the school.
The “defendant”, facing a charge of criminal damage, will be prosecuted and defended by the law students, with a barrister from St Paul’s Chambers in Leeds sitting in judgment. The trial is based on a genuine case, with details changed to protect confidentiality, and the outcome unknown to the students.
The winning side will be awarded supervised work experience at St Paul’s Chambers.
The head of the Corporate Crime and Risk Department at McCormicks, Geoff Rogers, said:
We want to give the students a real experience of what it is like to have the fate of the defendant in their hands as the outcome will depend on how well they put their cases, whether for the prosecution or the defence. Despite it being a mock trial, I am sure there will be a few nervous moments on both sides!
St Aidan’s head of Law, Patrick Taylor, said:
This represents a fantastic opportunity for many of our young, aspiring solicitors and barristers and one I hope we can build on in the future. Our young students will be developing invaluable skills that will prepare them for professional life beyond school.
McCormicks wins recognition for its expertise in criminal work in both of the leading guides to the legal profession, the UK Legal 500 and Chambers UK, and is ranked as the leading firm in the region. Geoff Rogers is ranked as one of the top criminal, fraud and licensing lawyers in the region and is complimented for his skill in preparing cases for trial. The firm deals with general crime and police station advice, serious fraud and business crime, motoring offences, tax investigations and prosecutions and regulatory work.
The mock trial will take place on Friday 15 February at St Aidan’s.
