Holy Family Secondary School students excel at the National Mock Trial Competition in the Criminal Courts of Justice on Saturday, 15th May 2010
The National Mock Trial competition for secondary school transition year students is not only the largest transition year competition in the country, and an extremely important one at that, it is also a very enjoyable occasion with lots of opportunities for fun. The media are there with their cameras while the action is provided by the hundreds of young people scurrying from courtroom to courtroom trying to find their case.
Twenty-one students from the Holy Family Secondary School Transition Year travelled to the New Criminal Courts of Justice for a fun filled day full of courtroom drama and legal debate on Saturday 15th May.
Students took turns playing every imaginable role in the courtroom including
prosecuting counsel, defence counsel, jury member, tipstaff and registrar.
They presented their cases before members of the Irish Judiciary.
We successfully prosecuted a murder case and an arson case and we successfully
defended an arson case. Our witnesses had to become the characters and more
importantly stay in character as they were grilled by opposing counsel.
The barristers had to think quickly and critically about the witness statements
and the evidence before the court.
What is the educational benefit of the Mock Trial competition?
The Mock Trial demystifies the law. It helps young people gain an understanding
of how Irish law works and widens their knowledge of the legal system in
the context of a court trial. Students develop their presentation and reasoning
skills as well as their ability to think on their feet. Their confidence
grows and a team spirit is created among those taking part.
How did they do?
28 teams were chosen from around the country to compete. The Holy Family
team had tremendous success winning all of their three cases, beating worthy
opponents from other schools. The team were so happy with themselves for
winning the three cases. Unfortunately this year, 5 schools out of the 28
won all three cases and only four can proceed to the National Semi-Finals
and Holy Family lost out by one point when the tie-breaking mechanism was
employed.
We were extremely proud of ourselves as we had won all our cases and overwhelmed we made it that far. We are all delighted and whenever the topic of transition years comes up to us the mock trial we always be on our mind, a true experience that not one of us will ever forget.
Amy Quille
Barrister for Holy Family Secondary School 2010