Aquinas School top ‘Bar’ None!

Aquinas Grammar School, Belfast won their case to be champions of the 2014 UK Bar National Mock Trial Competition just held in Cardiff.Niamh Kelly 16, Matthew McCrudden 17, Clare Doran 17 and Edward Sharkey 17 took part against 166 other schools in regional competitions throughout the year and emerged triumphant against runner-up Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Girls.

While the competition is aimed at attracting young people into a law, it also gives them valuable insight into the workings of the legal system for any other future career.

Mark Mulholland QC, Chairman of the Bar Council Northern Ireland who was also one of the judges summed the competition up as the opportunity to see the justice system on a very personal basis and to understand and appreciate that the rules and the values that go with that are fundamentally important.

Dalriada School in Ballymoney were also participants at the final and have been previouswinners.

The final was judged by the Recorder of Cardiff , Her Honour Judge Eleri Rees, Chair of the Bar Council Northern Ireland Mark Mulholland QC, former Bar Council Chairman Stephen Hockman QC, Lord Justice of Appeal Lord Justice Clarke, and crossbench Peer, Dulwich College Chair of Governors and former Principle Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Lord Turnbull.

Prizes were awarded by Shadow Attorney General and Islington MP Emily Thornberry and South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and former MP Alun Michael.

The Bar National Mock Trial Competition is run by the Citizenship Foundation and funded by the Bar (through the Bar Council, the Faculty of Advocates, the Bar of Northern Ireland, the Inns of Court and the Circuits) and is in its 23rd year.

It involves 2,000 students in years 10 to 13, 300 barristers and advocates and 90 judges. Click here to listen to the interview with Chairman of Bar Council