The Law Society of South Australia introduced the Mock Trial Competition to South Australian Secondary Schools in 1988. In its first year, the Competition had 36 teams from 32 schools across South Australia competing.
The Competition aims to bring the legal profession into closer communication with teachers and students in Secondary Schools, to remove some of the mystique surrounding the law and the legal profession, and to give students a better understanding of how the South Australian legal system operates. The Competition encourages students to express themselves and to present an argument in a forum based on our adversarial legal system.
Teams compete in a round robin competition for three rounds, with the four top scoring teams moving through to the semi-final. The two winning teams the compete in the Grand Final.
The Society gratefully acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the Mock Trial Advisory Group, who oversee the planning for the Competition and select the cases each year. The Society is also grateful to the many members of the profession who give up their time to coach the teams and to act as Mock Trial Judges for each round of Mock Trials.
What is a Mock Trial?
A Mock Trial is a simulated court case in which the participating student teams contest a fictional legal matter in a mock Court.
The Society provides a volunteer solicitor or barrister to coach the principles and procedures of each matter and other members of the legal profession act as Mock Trial Judges for each round. The Grand Final is usually presided over by a Judge of the District Court or a Justice of the Supreme or Federal Courts.
The trials combine facts, principles and procedure with appropriate subtle theatrics.
It is one of the aims of the Society that the Competition be as harmonious and constructive as possible. The assistance and co-operation of all participants is necessary to achieve this purpose. Feedback to the Co-Chairs of the Mock Trial Advisory Group is welcomed and can be directed to the Law Society in the first instance.
How does it work?
Each team consists of up to seven students from years 10, 11 & 12. Both state and independent Secondary Schools from South Australia may nominate a team/s to compete in the Competition.
Students in each team will take on the roles of Instructing Solicitors, Barristers, Witnesses and Court Officials. Two students act as Barristers, one or two as Solicitors, two as Witnesses and one as a Sheriff’s Officer or Judge’s Associate. The only variable is in the number of instructing solicitors.
Teams are encouraged to include additional students in the preparation for each round, to ensure seven students are available for the day of the Mock Trial. This prevents forfeits due to illness or unavailability.
Teachers are responsible for organising the team and contacting the coach and opposing school. The Competition is designed for students; teachers are encouraged to take a supportive role rather than a leading one to guide the students rather than direct them to ensure the Competition remains one between students.
The Competition is a combination of round robin (round 1-3) and knock-out (finals) contests. Aside from round two and the Grand Final which are held at the District Court or Magistrates Court all other rounds are held at the Plaintiff/Prosecution team’s school.
Coaches play a vital role in the Competition by giving students advice about how to approach each case. Coaches are members of the legal profession and impart a vast amount of knowledge and experience to students in areas such as investigating the facts of the case, preparation of evidence and how to conduct a proper case in front of a Judge. They also coach students on appropriate procedures before the hearing, the etiquette involved in speaking before the Mock Trial Judge and the roles of judges, barristers, witnesses and court officials in trials. Coaches also provide information in the use of legal precedents, on the correct way to make objections in court and of the rules of evidence. They link students’ Mock Trial experience with their own real-life expertise.
What are the benefits to students?
The Mock Trial Competition provides students with an introduction to the law, legal processes and the South Australian legal system in general.
Students develop many skills, face challenges and gain confidence and experience as a result of their involvement in the Competition. They are encouraged to use their imagination, experience and lateral thinking, to improvise, and to develop their research and analytical skills. Students develop strong communication skills, confidence in addressing an audience, taking responsibility within a team and maturity in their behaviour. The Competition also provides students with an opportunity to meet peers from different backgrounds and regions, as well as members of the legal profession, including Members of the Judiciary.