Students court success in US

Aspiring lawyers from a West Norfolk school are seeking sponsors to help them realise the chance of a lifetime and compete in the finals of a prestigious law competition taking place in the United States of America later this year.​

The nine Year 10 students from St Clement’s High School in Terrington St Clement have been taking part in a series of Mock Trial contests, and have triumphed at every stage to come second in the UK finals – and secure a place to compete in the Empire Mock Trial international finals to be held in Chicago in November.

Launched by the Young Citizens charity in 1991 to improve young people’s understanding of the law, the annual Mock Trial competition sees over 2,000 students from state schools and colleges across the country participate.

It was the first time the school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, had entered the competition.

“Our team took part in the Magistrates Mock Trial competition run by Young Citizens and competed in the first heat in Great Yarmouth and won, leading to us competing in the national heat in Manchester where we also placed first,” explained Olivia Simms, who is a member of the group.

“As a result of this, we then competed in the Bar Mock Trial competition, also run by Young Citizens, and we won our regional heat for that in Norwich. This then led to us competing in the Bar Mock Trial National Final at the Royal Courts of Justice in London where, even though we are Year 10, we competed against Year 12s and 13s, which was the hardest competition we had ever faced.

“I am delighted to tell you that we placed second overall in the UK out of the 186 schools, sixth forms and colleges that entered the competition. In addition to this, we were also awarded the title of ‘Highest Scoring New Team’.”

St Clement’s successful performance means that they are now eligible to compete alongside teams from across the globe in the Empire World Championship Competition.

“The competition requires students to take on roles of prosecution and defence attorneys, witnesses and American court staff, in order to present specially written criminal cases that we are given,” continued Olivia. 

“Therefore we would have the chance to learn all about American law and courts through the preparation for this. This would be a five-day stay in November 2024.”

“We are a small high school located in a rural village in Norfolk, so these opportunities are rare and difficult to fund, as I’m sure you can imagine,” she added.

“Currently, we are seeking sponsorship from companies to help fund this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

To sponsor the St Clement’s Team, contact Senior Leader Eliza Bennell at: [email protected].