Teenage advocacy

This year’s Bar National Mock Trial Competition has been won by a team from Queen Elizabeth’s school in Devon. Dalriada School, Ballymoney, was the runner-up, and 16 schools reached the finals.

Overall, 170 schools took part in this year’s competition, in which teenage advocates present legal arguments in a mock case in front of serving judges and senior members of the Bar.

The final was held at the Old Bailey in London, in front of Lord Justice Hooper, Mr Justice McCloskey and Kenneth Campbell QC.

Andy Thornton, chief executive of the Citizenship Foundation, which runs the competition along with professional barrister and advocate organisations, said: “They will gain valuable skills, confidence and understanding as well as the ability to debate and to advocate for others.”