For Teachers

• No previous law knowledge required and help is on hand to support and guide you through the process.

• Thorough online resources with a step by step guide to getting your team ready.

• Magistrates will visit schools when needed to guide your preparation and answers to questions are available via email whenever they arise.

• Applications are made through the Young Citizens website - Apply from - date to be confirmed .

• Applications for the 2026/27 competition open shortly, but you can register your interest at the Young Citizens website, and you will be informed as soon as dates are confirmed. .

• Entry Fee is £240 per team, but £50 per team will be reimbursed to schools who take part thanks to donations by former High Sheriffs – to help offset the cost to schools. Schools new to the competition are urged not to enter two teams in their first year.

For Students and Families

• A fun opportunity to find out more about how the law works.

• A chance to act out roles and compete in a real courtroom.

• Realistic cases typical of a Magistrates' Court.

• Students develop public speaking, debating and analytical skills as well as their team work.

• Increased understanding of how the Criminal Justice System works.

Charters School, Ascot - National Final 2018 3rd Place

All Berkshire state (non-fee paying) schools are eligible to enter.

For older students, Young Citizens run the Bar Mock Trial Competition.  For further details click here.  

Although this is a competition, the main aim of the Mock Trials is to provide students with a realistic insight into criminal justice and an opportunity to practice new skills and develop confidence in the setting of a real court.

 

Dates, Cost and Timings

* Applications are made to Young Citizens at www.youngcitizens.org/programmes/mock-trials/ and open shortly. You can register your interest by going to the website.

* Entry Fees for a team are £240 for 2026/27 , but schools who take part on the day will receive a reimbursement of £50 to offset some of this cost – funded from kind donations by current, former and future High Sheriffs of the Royal County of Berkshire.
* Three Berkshire heats will be held, with provisional dates of  Saturday the 13th March 2027 and a further one on Saturday the 20th March 2027. We are hoping that the competition will be back at Reading Crown Court, but this is subject to building work, and it may be held again at Reading Magistrates' Court. 
* The Regional Final will be on Saturday 15th May 2027

 

Team Information

* Open to students in Years 8 & 9.
* Team size between 12 and 16 students.
* Detailed, step by step preparation guides available online and free visits to your school from magistrates to get your team ready.
* Realistic case provided – recent offences include assault, theft, possession of a knife and harassment by social media – designed for relevance to young people.
* Different roles to include different capabilities.
* Magistrates, Solicitors, Usher, Defendant, Victim, Witnesses, Legal Advisor.

 

A typical morning timetable is:

9am          Teams arrive at coourt and will be met by a Schools' Liaison Magistrate who will show  them around their first Court Room.

9:30am    Welcome speeches in the Foyer.

9:45am    Round 1 - One team prosecutes and the other defends.

10:45am   Refreshment break.

11:05 am    Round 2 -  Change court room and switch from prosecution to defence

12:15 pm   Teams gather in Foyer to hear the results and for presentation of certificates and prizes by the High Sheriff.

Afternoon Heats follow the same format but start at 1:15pm and finish at 5pm.