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 2025/26 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 £230 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 £230 for 2025/26 , 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, two on  Saturday the 14th March 2026 and a further one on Saturday the 21st March 2026. Due to building works at Reading Crown Court, the competition will take place at READING MAGISTRATES' COURT in 2026. 
* The Regional Final will be on Saturday 16th May 2026 at READING MAGISTRATES' COURT

 

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.