HNC LAWYERS TAKE PART IN NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION
09.12.2025Students from HNC’s Faculty of Social Sciences recently took part in the Young Citizens National Bar Mock Trial competition at Leeds Magistrates’ Court, putting the legal skills learnt in the classroom to the test in court!
The Young Citizens Bar Mock Trial competition is designed to help young people aged 15-18 understand how the law touches every aspect of our lives, supporting them to gain an insight into how the legal justice system operates. Working as both the prosecution and defence over three trials, the team from HNC competed with 11 other schools and colleges from across the Yorkshire area. On the day, the team worked on criminal cases including possession with intent to supply and possession of a firearm with intent to cause violence, contrary to section 5(3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and section 16A of the Firearms Act 1968 respectively.
Ahead of taking part in the mock trial, the teams had the opportunity to review evidence and spent several weeks preparing their cases before delivering their arguments in front of a real judge at Leeds Magistrates’ Court. The group worked brilliantly together as a team, successfully winning their cases for their clients. During the trials, the team used the OPTICS (organisation, problem-solving, teamwork, initiative, communication, self-development) skills developed in the classroom to successfully compete in the mock trial.
Claire Forrest, Head of Faculty, Social Sciences, comments “Taking part in the Young Citizens National Bar Mock Trial competition provides our students with a genuine taste of what a career in the UK’s legal system could look like – from the work that goes on behind the scenes in preparing a case, to the skills required to successfully argue that case in court in front of the defendants, the judge and the jury. Our team from HNC worked incredibly hard ahead of the trial to develop a strong case so that they could successfully secure a win for their client, and I was incredibly impressed by their commitment, motivation and collaboration – demonstrating many of the College’s values in how they approached the competition. Well done to team HNC for another successful mock trial!”
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