Budding RGS barristers triumph in mock trial final

A TEAM of budding young Ripon Grammar School barristers triumphed in the courtroom after winning their case in a prestigious mock trial final.

RGS's lower sixth form law society members beat off stiff competition from 11 other schools from Yorkshire and the North West in the earlier rounds of the University of Bradford competition.

In the final, RGS students acted for the defence in the case of a human rights activist accused of stealing a dog, heard before a real judge in the Lady Hale Court.

Students from Bradford Grammar School, arguing the case for the prosecution, made for a tough opposition in the riveting theft trial, where all the students wore caps and gowns to make the experience as authentic as possible.

Judge Jonathan Rose, Honorary Recorder of Bradford, said: “I was hugely impressed by the performance of both schools in this final.

"The students have gone outside their comfort zone. They have learned about teamwork and about winning and not winning, and even if you don’t win you can still go onto great success.”

The mock trial case featured defendant Debbie Dickson-King, a human rights activist, accused of stealing a dog she took in after it found its way to the lobby of her apartment.

Ms Dickson-King, played by University of Bradford student ambassador Mamtaz Begum, was charged with stealing the dog, which she re-named Daisy but was originally called Bella, with the intention of permanently depriving its owner of it contrary to the Theft Act 1968.

The court heard Ms Dickson-King was spotted walking the dog the following day by its rightful owner, Ms Jennifer played by Tuiya Tembo, assistant professor at the University’s School of Law.

RGS students, who did all their own research, learning about the legal process and systems while discussing tactics, often late into the night, took turns to call witnesses, who they cross-examined.

They were crowned winners following deliberations by Judge Rose and representatives from the University of Bradford’s School of Law.

One of the students, Aria Writer, was also invited to take part in an open day at Bradford Combined Court Centre, featuring activities including tours of the court building, mock trials and displays from organisations involved in the justice system.

She said the experience had been extremely rewarding and that everyone had loved competing and engaging in the debate “We've learnt how to work better as a team, how to negotiate, whether that be in the courtroom or with each other in deciding roles and priorities, and how to overcome adverse and unforeseen complications, such as those prevalent in a court environment.”

Every member of the team had a chance to play both barrister and solicitor: “Everyone had to work and contribute behind the scenes before they could present,” explained Aria.

Bob Walker, Head of Careers at Ripon Grammar School, said: “The students have been fantastic. They had just two weeks to put it all together. It brings a tear to my eye.”

He praised the students for thinking on their feet under pressure: “Whether they decide to go into law or not, this is something they can put on their personal statements and CVs which really makes them stand out.”

Professor Engobo Emeseh, Head of the University of Bradford's School of Law, said: “I was really impressed with what the students were able to achieve.

“Hopefully it has encouraged them to study law, but the wider skills they have demonstrated through this process will be beneficial to them in whatever future careers they choose to do.”

Launched in 2020, the mock trial competition is an annual event at the University of Bradford.

Lady Hale Court, named after the Yorkshire-born former President of the Supreme Court Lady Brenda Hale, who was the first woman to be appointed to the Law Commission, the first woman Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and the first woman president of the Supreme Court.

Professor Emeseh will be participating in Student Pre-University Court Exposure (SPRUCE), a course held in Bradford in June, which provides students who have completed Year 12 with insights into studying and careers in law.

Students on the course will hear from barristers, solicitors, legal executives in areas such as Criminal, Civil and Family Law, and appear in a real court, before a real judge, to try prosecuting or defending someone facing sentence for a criminal offence.

The RGS legal team: Aria Writer, Leora Zucker, Alexa Turner, Ava Turner, Evy Reed, Charlotte Nicol, Florence Jarvis, Chola Malama, Zara Ali