Mock Trials Competition

The Law Society of Western Australia coordinates an Interschool Mock Trial Competition each year between students enrolled in years 10, 11 and 12.

In 2011, 773 students representing 68 teams from 38 schools competed in the competition, with the Hon. Kenneth Martin, of the supreme court, Western Australia, judging the Grand Final between Wesley College (Team Green) and Wesley College (Team Gold) on 17 October 2011, the first time 2 teams from the same school competed.

For further information on the Mock Trial program and how to register your school please refer to the information and links below. Any further enquires may be emailed to the Mock Trials Coordinator or via phone on (08) 9324 8604.


What is a Mock Trial?
A mock trial is a simulated court case in which teams contest a fictitious WA legal matter presented in the WA court system. The cases are presented by two teams - a prosecution/plaintiff team and a defence team - made up of students playing the roles of barristers, solicitors, witnesses and court officials.

The Interschool Mock Trials Competition provides an enjoyable, dynamic way of introducing students to the law. It provides students with an opportunity to learn valuable skills in research and the development and presentation of a persuasive argument.

The whole class can benefit by being involved in some of the suggested learning and teaching activities that can be used to help prepare the teams for the trial.

Download a copy of the Mock Trials Curriculum Framework.


Who can participate?
The competition is open to students enrolled in years 10, 11 and 12 and who are not older than 18 years of age as at 31 December of the year of the competition. Registration fee is $50.00 for each team. There is no limit on the number of teams a school can register.

A team must consist of no fewer than ten students and no more than 12 to take the following roles: 

• Two (2) Barristers 
• Two (2) Witnesses
• One (1) Instructing Solicitor
• One (1)Court Orderly or Judges Associate/Magistrates Clerk
• Six (6) Reserves (maximum) - the minimum of 4 Reserve must attend coachining sessions.
• Schools may enter more then one team, however no student shall be included in more than one team.

Curriculum Council - Endorsed Program
WA Curriculum Council has recognised the compeition and approved it as a Community Endorsed Program in 2010.  Students can gain up to 5 points (one WACE unit) in a 3 year period of their participation i.e from Year 10 to 12.  The points awarded from this program can be added with another Community Endorsed Program.  Further information can be found on Curricul Council's website http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/ under Senior Secondary / Endorsed Programs / Community Organisations.

Each student, including the reserves will be issued with a Certificate of Completion when they finished in the compettion.  Therefore, a student must attend each trial to complete the relevant level or a Certificate of Completion will not be issued by the Society.

            Level 1 equates to completing the first 3 Rounds
            Level 2 equates to completing the 4th Round
            Level 3 equates to completing the 5th Round
            Level 4 equates to completing the 6th Round and
            Level 5 (one WACE unit) equates to competing in the Grand Final

Replacement certificates will incur a cost.

Venue
Teams are encouraged to use courts at the Supreme Court, Stirling Gardens. All court bookings are made through the Mock Trials Coordinator. During Rounds One, Two and Three some schools may elect to hold their trials at the Mandurah Court House, also to be booked through the Mock Trials Coordinator. Teams may also hold trials at a participating school if necessary, but must arrange for an independent judge for the trial, who has been approved by the Mock Trials Coordinator.

The Grand Final is held at the Supreme Court of Western Australia.


Time
All trials must begin promptly at 6pm and should conclude before 8.30pm. Each trial takes no more than two and a half hours.


What is involved?
At the beginning of the competition each team is provided with a comprehensive manual that details the mock trial rules, procedures, dates and the skills that are assessed in each mock trial. Download Manual

There are seven rounds involved in the competition. The first three rounds work as a round robin and allow each team to go up against three other schools. At the conclusion of the first three rounds the 16 top scoring teams proceed on to the elimination rounds on a knock-out basis until two schools remain to contest the Grand Final.

Members of the legal profession or students from the Law Schools are appointed to each school to coach the students on court procedure, presentation and preparation of case material. Members of the legal profession also adjudicate the mock trials, acting as the judge. For impartiality, a member cannot be both a Judge and Coach.

Judges will award points for understanding of the case, knowledge of court procedure and presentation.

On the evening of the Grand Final prizes and trophies are awarded to all members of the winning and runner-up teams, acknowledging their commitment and hard work throughout the year. The teacher and coach of these teams receive a trophy for their contribution; the schools also receive a cash prize.

Previous Years' Grand Final Winners

        1987    Christ Church Grammar School
        1988    Mercedes College
        1989    Servite College
        1990    Morley Senior High School
        1991    Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School
        1992    St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
        1993    Wesley College
        1994    Wesley College
        1995    Perth College
        1996    Frederick Irwin Anglican Community School (Mandurah)
        1997    Carmel School
        1998    Guildford Grammar School
        1999    Santa Maria College
        2000    Christ Church Grammar School
        2001    Morley Senior High School
        2002    St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls
        2003    Methodist Ladies' College
        2004    Carmel School
        2005    Methodist Ladies' College
        2006    Mercedes College
        2007    Christ Church Grammar School
        2008    Shenton College
        2009    St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls
        2010    St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls
        2011    Wesley College (Team Gold)

Find out more

• Competition Timetable and Case Material
• School Registration
• Judge/Coach Registration
• Information for Teachers
• Information for Coaches
• Information for Judges
• Murdoch Scholarship