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Mock Bar Trails
Ella Waghorn sent this report:
“On Saturday 9 November 2019, 11 students from the Law academic hub participated in a Mock Bar Trial at Maidstone Crown Court. This was an amazing opportunity - helping to grow the legal sector within the school. We were given two cases to learn: R v Acosta, a case that tackled drugs and the intention to supply and R v Wallace, a case that looked at ABH and whether the defendant acted in self-defence. The team was made up of four main roles: barristers, the court clerk, an usher, four witnesses and members of the jury.
We all entered the court apprehensive, overwhelmed by the idea that we were in such a historic court, before top barristers and judges. For the first round of the competition, Invicta competed against Beacon Academy as the prosecution for R v Acosta. We started the competition on a high, with our witnesses and barristers alike, playing their role to a very high standard. As barristers, Onyi and I had to be on top form during our examination in chiefs and our cross examinations, making sure we put all the witnesses under pressure. However, Invicta did not fail to impress, with the witnesses being able to answer all the questions faced upon them to a very high standard.
This high standard stood us in good stead for the rest of the competition. Rounds two and three were against The Ravensbourne School and Rochester Grammar School who have been taking part in this competition for many years. However, we were not the underdogs as we matched their standards with an impeccable performance.
As we have never been involved in this competition, we felt privileged to be assisted by Mr Bowers QC, one of the top barristers in the country, working for Doughty Street Chambers, with a large list of high profile cases under his experience. We cannot thank him enough for his invaluable guidance.
Although Invicta did not place in the grand final, of the eighteen schools that took part, we were still ranked highly, being commended by a member of parliament and a former criminal barrister, Rehman Chishti, whom we managed to take a few pictures with.
Due to Invicta’s success in the competition this year, we are definitely going to take part in the competition next year. If you would like to be involved, be sure to join the law hub.