Last Saturday (9th December) the High Sheriff’s Inter Schools Mock Trial Competition took place at Newport Crown Court.
The competition has now been running for over eleven years and thousands of Island pupils have taken part. Each Island school produced teams of students to prosecute and defend an actual trial in front of a qualified judge in the Crown Courts at Newport.
Initiated by former High Sheriff
The Mock Trial Competition was initially introduced by Nick Hayward when he was High Sheriff in 2012, in conjunction with retired Judge Tim Milligan, and retired tribunal Judge Tim O’Flynn.
This event enables young students to experience exactly how the Legal process operates. Also giving them the opportunity to enhance their public speaking skills, self confidence and team work.
Highly experienced team give up their time freely
Nick and Tim Milligan and Tim O’Flynn are only able to continue thanks to the huge support of His Honour Judge Tim Mousley KC, plus Rob Packham Ex Deputy Director of the National Crime Squad, and John Trotter Senior partner in a City Law Firm.
This professional and highly experienced team give up their time freely every year for the benefit of Island students to give them a real taste of the law in action.
Sponsors
The event is kindly sponsored by Rouse Ltd, supported by Duxmore Botanics and Goddard’s Brewery, with the winners receiving the beautiful Rouse Ltd, High Sheriff’s trophy, which was presented this year by the current High Sheriff, Dawn Haigh-Thomas.
Winning teams
The winning team this year was The Island VI Form, closely followed by Christ The King College and then Priory School.
The Judges felt that every school that had entered had shown great enthusiasm, skill, diligence and learning and everyone participating should be congratulated.
A real sense of professionalism and confidence
It was an exciting day with all the students displaying a real sense of professionalism and confidence in their performances.
The Judges and all the legal professionals involved, commented on the very high standards reached by every student and congratulated both them and all the teachers for their hard work, dedication and understanding of the legal process.
Sweet: Without doubt the best school trip/experience
Dave Sweet from Ryde Academy said,
“It is without doubt the best school trip/experience…All students were beaming when they came out of the Court Room…”
News shared by Nick, in his own words. Ed
