Update

This year we are running an unprecedented 17 projects, spanning central Scotland in the Junior, senior and for the first time, study programmes. Circa 100 schools are involved. We are also looking at further international opportunities. This will be our 10th anniversary - a long way from when we started with just one programme, two schools and 40 students!

All Mock Court Registrations CLOSED

Registration for both the Juniors and Senior Programmes are now closed. All regions are running, most are full. Apologies to the many schools that were unable to get a place. Registrations for the studies programme will remain open until the early part of the new academic year.

Winners - Trans-Atlantic Mock Court

Appearing before The Rt Hon Lady Dorrian (Scotland) and The Hon P. Kevin Castel (NYC) in the Federal Court in New York against William Cullen Bryant High School, the Scottish team were announced the winners of the first ever Trans-Atlantic Mock Court Competition.

New York, New York

The winning team in the Seniors section, Students from Dunbar Grammar, will head off for a week to New York. As part of their trip, as well as taking in the sights New York has to offer, they will compete with a local school in the Federal Courts as well as attend a school for a day. The Rt Hon Lady Dorrian will also fly over to NYC to sit with an American Judge. Our thanks go to Brodies LLP who sponsored this trip and to the Justice Resource Centre, part of the New York Education Department, for helping us organise this trip.

Chair Visits the North of Scotland

Gerald Murphy, together to Jamie Gardiner, Advocate, will visit both Inverness and Aberdeen, meeting teachers, councillors and solicitors interested in havng the project expand to the North. For further details, speak to Mr Bambford at our office.

Senior Registrations OPEN for 2018/2019

Registrations for the next academic year for the Seniors are now open. In addition to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Aberdeen and Ayr have been added as well as us looking at Inverness and Hamilton. Seniors in Edinburgh will also have the chance to register to take part in two trial study programmes - Legal Studies and Neuroscience. Both these courses run independant of the Mock Court Programme and each will run for 8 weeks after school.

Registrations CLOSED for 2017/2018

Registrations for the next academic year have been closed with a record number of schools registering to take part. All six Junior regions will run, together with the two Seniors Projects. In all, some 80 schools have registered to take part, encompassing circa 3,000 students.

Registrations Filling Up
Closing Soon

Over the last week or so, we have seen a real surge in the number of schools registering to take part in the project over the next academic year. As a result several regions are almost full, meaning these areas are likely to close for registrations prior to 23rd June '17. We would also like to thank all the Councils that have thrown their support behind this project. Details of the JUNIORS project can be found HERE. For the SENIORS, go HERE.

Registrations Open
Projects Expand

We are delighted to advise that not only are the registrations open for both the Juniors and Seniors, but that both are being expanded for the next two academic years. Following meetings with Education Scotland and the Lord President, the Seniors project will operate in both the East and West of Scotland and the Juniors will now run six projects - Lothians, Falkirk Glasgow, Ayrshire, Central and Tayside & Fife. Further details will be sent to the schools or can be obtained from our Administrators.

Registrations to Open
Both Junior & Senior Sections

Schools will be able to register for the next academic year once registration process re-opens. Last year over 30 schools missed out due to the demand we face and very limited spaces in each of the five projects.

Breaking News
Judges Announced for Finals

The finals for the Juniors this academic year will see a Judge from the General Court of the European Union who has agreed to travel over from Luxembourg to sit, together with The Rt Hon Sir David Edward, who was one of the inaugural Judges of the then newly created European Court of First Instance and later in 1992, was appointed a Judge of the European Court of Justice. The third Judge to sit will be announced shortly.

Finals
Juniors Section

The winning teams (one pursuer and one defender) from each of the three regions will go head to head to determine the winning school for Scotland and to pick up the Mooting Cup. The finals will be heard by a panel of three judges in Central Hall, Edinburgh. During the day, in between trials, various schools will have students singing or dancing. Other regional awards will also be handed out, including best artist, best gown maker, journalism and advocacy. The Mooting Cup will be present by Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk. Parents are welcome to attend

Trials Start
Tayside & Fife Schools

The schools taking part in the Juniors section of the project in Tayside and Fife will start their trials this week in Dundee Sheriff Court before either Sheriff Way or Sheriff Drummond. Trials will run over two nights and will start at either 4.30pm or 5.30pm and should be concluded by 7pm. Parents and family members are welcome to attend.

Trials Start
West of Scotland Schools

The trials for the schools in the West of Scotland project (Juniors) start and will run over three nights in the High Court of Glasgow. Trials will start at either 4.45pm or 5.45 and should be concluded by 7.15pm. Up to four courts will be running at a time. Parents are welcome to attend

Trials Start
Lothian Schools

The trials for the Lothain Juniors project start and will run over three nights in Edinburgh Sheriff Court. Trials will start at either 4.30pm or 5.30 and should be concluded by 7pm. Parents are welcome to attend

Awards Ceremony
Seniors Project

The Awards Ceremony for the Seniors section will be held in the Signet Library, kindly sponsored by the WS Society. The Eve Crowe Mooting Cup will be presented by Lady Dorrian and the Sheriffs that presided over the trials will present other awards. Several schools will be performing as will Miss Sarah Laing. This is a black tie event, save for students who will be in full school uniform. The event will run from 6pm to 8pm. Parents and guests are welcome to attend.

Speciality Day
West of Scotland

The Speciality Day for students taking part in the West of Scotland will be held in the Banqueting Hall, Glasgow City Chambers from 10am to 12.15pm. Numerous speakers will address the students, from law, to phone security to gown making.

Trials Start
Seniors

The trials for the Seniors project will start in the Court of Session over two nights. Parents are welcome to attend.

Teacher/Tutor Training
Tayside/Fife

A Joint teacher/tutor training session will be held in the Tay Board Room, Perth Concert Hall for those involved in the Tayside and Fife project

Teacher/Tutor Training
West of Scotland

A Joint teacher/tutor training session will be held in the Mock Court in Glasgow University for those involved in the West of Scotland project

Speciality Day - Lothians

All students taking part in the Lothians project should attend the speciality day to hear from experts in various fields. The event is being held in the Edinburgh University George Square Lecture Theatre.

Lothians Project Starts

The first of the weekly Senior tutorials starts this evening in the new venue - Edinburgh University School of Law 9B Holyrood Road. This year there is a new project and a new medical section.

Lothians Project Starts

During the week commencing 29th August, students in the Juniors project will get their first tutor visit, following which, initial writs and defences will have to be prepared

Teacher/Tutor Training - Lothians

A Joint teacher/tutor training session will be held in the SSC Library (Court of Session) for those involved in the Lothians project

Registrations Close

Registratons for both the Senior and Junior projects close as all projects fill.

The West of Scotland has been swamped with registrations, with more than 25 schools trying to register.

Blog Section

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