Legal eagles in the dock
4:23pm Monday 10th March 2008 in Your Town By Lucy Ewing
BUDDING lawyers put their courtroom skills to the test this weekend when they took part in the National Mock Trial Competition at Bolton Magistrates' Court.
Pupils from Westhoughton High, Canon Slade and Smithills schools were joined by a team from Chorley and one from Burnley.
The competition, now in its 16th year, aims to introduce the legal system to young people in an innovative and exciting way. Each year more than 4,500 young people take part nationwide.
The youngsters, aged from 12 to 14, were given the opportunity to play the defendant, magistrates, prosecutor, defence solicitor, witnesses, usher and legal advisor.
The mock trial centred around the case of a man harassing his next door neighbour.
Magistrates and other legal professionals judged the five teams. The winner was Canon Slade School and Southlands High in Chorley was awarded the cup for best performance.
Gail Shuttleworth, arts college director at Canon Slade, said: "I'm delighted we've won. The students have all worked very hard in preparing for today. They now have a much better understanding of the law and the courts and it has helped with their confidence and public speaking."
Year nine student Tom Capstick, aged 14, played the role of a prosecutor. He said: "I was quite nervous at first but when I got going I really enjoyed it and got a bit of a buzz from it. We won last year as well, so to win it two years in a row is amazing."
Katie Ramsden, aged 13, acted as a police officer witness. "It was really fun. I've learnt loads about how the magistrates' court works."
Magistrate Eric Moore, from Harwood, who organises Bolton's competition every year, said he was pleased with the efforts of this year's students.
He said: "The students have all done very well. They have clearly worked very hard in preparing for the mock trial. They've all been very enthusiastic and professional, which is lovely to see."
Canon Slade will compete in the regional finals in Manchester in May.
