Schoolgirls happy taking the law into their own hands

Legal eagles from Ashford’s Highworth Grammar School are celebrating after winning a mock trial competition at Medway Magistrates Court in Chatham.

Pupils from schools across Kent took on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates, court staff and defendants in the annual competition which began in 1994 and is run by the Citizenship Foundation in partnership with the Magistrates’ Association.

The pupils enacted a specially written case in which a defendant was accused of burglary and stealing a PlayStation console.

The youngsters found the defendant guilty during each heat.

The initiative aims to help pupils learn about the criminal justice system, the law, procedures, consequences and to hopefully develop their confidence in speaking publicly.

Magistrates who sit on the benches at the courthouse in Rope Walk alongside other legal professionals helped the teams prepare for the event by giving information on the everyday workings of courts and staging court visits.

Some of the pupils also took on the role of court reporter and court artist.

The event was staged on Saturday, March 18, and was won by pupils from Highworth Grammar in Quantock Drive.

Fiona Byers, magistrate, said: “The girls from Highworth as a team were very impressive, gaining high marks in each round. They put in an extremely strong performance.”

The regional final will be held on Saturday, May 13, at the same court when the Highworth girls will compete against other schools from the South East.

A worried looking ‘accused’ Daisy Wells, left, and smiling court clerk Molly Sharrad

‘Magistrates’ Pritee Iimbu, Hannah Riley and Priyanka Desai hear witness Lily Saunders, right

Picture: Steve Crispe Highworth Grammar School girls at the mock trial in Medway Magistrates Court, Rope Walk, Chatham