The annual Law Society of New South Wales mock trial has school students from 220 secondary schools in NSW and the ACT have a taste of the legal profession, providing them with an opportunity to build their courtroom knowledge and skills, said the Society’s president Joe Catanzariti. 

Fort Street High students competed in the courtroom battle with students from Loreto Kirribilli in Sydney’s north, each student playing the roles of barristers, lawyers and witnesses, arguing a case to the Supreme Court in front of a trial judge, the Hon Peter Hidden AM. 

“The aim is to increase young people’s awareness and understanding of the legal system and at the same time help them to hone their research, teamwork and presentation skills,” said Catanzariti. 

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“Hopefully the students will realise that the best courtroom dramas don’t always happen on television.”

Fort Street won the Grand Final, while Eliza Fitzgerald from Loreto Kirribilli’s team was declared best advocate and awarded a part fee scholarship to study law at Bond University.

Medallions were presented to the students in both teams along with semi-finalist teams from Tangara School for Girls, Cherrybrook and Bega High School. 

“I’d also like to thank the hundreds of teachers and lawyers throughout NSW and the ACT who have given their time and support to the competition this year,” Catanzariti said.