Students mount legal battle in mock trials

Three Mid West secondary schools recently participated in the Law Society of WA’s inter-school mock trial competition.

The competition is co-ordinated by the Law Society in conjunction with the Department of the Attorney-General.

Students from Years 10 to 12 from Geraldton Grammar, Geraldton Secondary College and Morawa Agricultural School took part in simulated criminal cases at the Geraldton Courthouse and assumed the roles of barristers, solicitors, prosecutors, witnesses and court officials.

The competition’s aim is to introduce students to the Australian legal system and provide them with the opportunity to learn valuable skills in research and in developing and presenting a persuasive argument.

Legal Aid Geraldton’s Kate Turtley-Chappel organised the inaugural 2015 Geraldton competition, with the support of other Geraldton lawyers who acted as coaches and judges.

Ms Turtley-Chappel worked as a mock trial co-ordinator with the Law Society while studying at university and approached the society about expanding the course into regional WA.

She said the Law Society was very supportive of the idea.

“We were also lucky enough to have the support of the Geraldton Courthouse who scheduled the mock trials to fit in with the busy court schedule,” she said.

“It’s such a beautiful old building it would have been a shame not to hold the mock trials there.”

She said the benefits students received from the competition were immeasurable.

Year 10 students Keelan Purcell and Keavy Hallgarth competed for Geraldton Senior College.

Keelan said he enjoyed learning about the court procedures and the different jobs within the legal system.

He particularly warmed to the role of defence lawyer.

“You didn’t have to do as much as a prosecutor, all you had to do was keep a bit of doubt in the judge’s mind,” he said.

Keavy preferred the role of prosecutor and hopes to pursue a career in the police force.

“I really enjoyed it, and it made me realise the jobs available to me,” she said.

Geraldton Grammar School was the winner of the Geraldton inter-school competition.

GGS head of humanities and social sciences Amy Price said the students were thrilled to win.

She said the competition supported students’ exploration of the legal system including the processes, roles and terminology.

“By having the mock trial in the courthouse, they were provided with the opportunity to experience a realistic trial scenario that helped them link their knowledge and understanding of legal processes,” she said.