Pupils from John Kyrle High School joined others from across the County as over 90 students fought out their arguments in front of magistrates on Saturday, participating in the 2017 Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition at Hereford. Pupils aged 12 -14 took on the roles of defendant, magistrates, lawyers and court staff in the annual competition, which is run in partnership by the Citizenship Foundation and the Magistrates’ Association.

Local dignitaries attending the high profile student event included The Countess of Darnley JP, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire; His Honour Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC, Liaison Judge for the Herefordshire Bench; Bill Jackson Esq, High Sheriff of Herefordshire; Councillor Brian Wilcox JP, Chairman of Herefordshire Council; The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Jim Kenyon; The Mayoress, Councillor Kath Hey and Mrs Sue Furnival JP DL, Chair of the Herefordshire Bench. A presentation ceremony afterwards was led by Mr Paul Deneen OBE JP DL.

Students’ preparation begins several weeks before the actual event which, along with the day itself is organised by Mrs Leigh Brazewell JP who co-ordinates the competition, working with schools up and down the County.

The students enacted a specially written scenario in which the defendant stood accused of burglary. The 12-14 year olds had to role play without any reliance on a script, and against teams they had not met before.

The competition is designed to enable students to learn about different aspects of the criminal justice system - the law, procedures, and consequences– and to develop confidence in skills such as public speaking, analysis techniques

and working as a team. Local magistrates helped the teams prepare by visiting schools, and hosting court visits. Some students also took part in a Court Reporter and a Court Artist competition, which runs parallel to the main event and is judged nationally by the Citizenship Foundation.

John Kyrle High School achieved two awards, and received particular praise for their strong defence skills.

Overall winners on the day were Whitecross High School from Hereford. Other teams competing included Steiner Academy from Much Dewchurch; Earl Mortimer College and Wigmore High School from Leominster; and Fairfield High School,from Peterchurch. County organiser Mrs Leigh Brazewell JP said ‘it was an exceptionally close contest and the standard again in the county was very high; we’re very proud of all the students, they all played incredibly well and all were a credit to their schools’.

County winners Whitecross go through to the next round held at Newport in May, from which the winner goes through to a national final in June.