Bar Mock Trial

The Northern Ireland heat of the Bar Mock Trial competition was held in the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast on Saturday 19^th November and Banbridge Academy participated with a team of 15 students. In round 1 we were against Bangor Grammar, in round 2 Aquinas Grammar and in the final round Ballyclare High School. Our four barristers – Beth McCullagh, Rebecca Alexander, Scott Milligan and Katy McCabe – were consistently excellent and Rebecca and Katy in particular were praised for the strength of their arguments, their ability to think on their feet and responses to unexpected answers. Our eight witnesses were praised for their believability and their ability to get into character. Rachel Denny, Hazel Black, Beth Gardiner and Laura Keating were singled out for particular praise. In the end the subjective judging went against us and we did not make it through to the Final round but the standard was phenomenally high and the pupils who participated gained a huge amount from the experience which in itself made it worthwhile. 

 

 

The full team consisted of:

Barristers:       

Beth McCullagh

Rebecca Alexander

Scott Milligan

Katy McCabe

 

Witnesses:

Louise Beckett

Laura Keating

Rachel Denny

Cameron Harvey

Beth Gardiner

Morgan Weeks

Clara McNeill

Hazel Black

 

Court Clerk – Deborah Catrmill

 

Court Usher –  Ruby Dowds

 

Jury –              

Olivia Shaw

Vasso Steele

Zoe McDowell

 

Court Artist – Lucy Donaldson

 

Court Artist –  Victoria Mitchell