Belfast school top of the class in mock trial contest

THIS YEAR'S National Mock Trial Competition winner is Our Lady of St Patrick's College from Belfast.

Lord Chief Justice Taylor presided over the grand final of the competition for state secondary schools held at Southwark Crown Court on 25 March.

Sixteen schools took part in the finals, but in total 1,800 pupils have taken the roles of advocates, witnesses, court staff and jurors in mock trials staged throughout the country.

The event was sponsored by the Bar Council.

Chairman Peter Goldsmith says: "Helping people to see how the law operates is an important part of developing their sense of citizenship."