Sixth Form Bolton compete in Bar National Mock Trial competition

Members of The Sixth Form Bolton law society are taking part in the Bar National Mock Trial competition today.

They will be facing those from other colleges and schools in the  Manchester heat of the today (February 4).

Students will be taking on the roles of barristers, witnesses, ushers and jurors as they present and argue two cases in front of serving Crown Court judges.

Those in the Bolton are studying law, drama and art, with the art student Kora Jones, posing as the court artist.

The students are being mentored by Barrister Joe Allman, a prosecutor and a member of the Crown Prosecution Service Serious Crime Group.

Court artist's impression of the mock trial (Image: The Sixth Form Bolton)

Joe recently returned from serving on behalf of HM Government as the Crown Prosecution Service’s Criminal Justice Advisor to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Liaison Prosecutor in the United Arab Emirates.

The Sixth Form welcomed Joe to observe the students perform the trials they are preparing and gave invaluable feedback. 

Students prepared opening and closing statements for the prosecution and defence on two cases, as well as questions for the numerous witnesses.

Joe Allman (Image: Agency)

He said: “I was impressed by the students’ preparation, confidence and skill. They are clearly a very talented group of young people.

“They are a credit to themselves and to those who have evidently worked very hard to get them to this point.”

Alexandria Stones, a former Bedford High School pupil studying A-level law politics and English literature, said: “I think law society is more beneficial than people think, it allows you to get experience and a perspective on a career in law, it's thrilling and an unbelievable opportunity.”

The trials are on cases involving possession of drugs with intent to supply and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.