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About the NSW Mock Trial Competition

The Mock Trial Competition is conducted by the Law Society of NSW and is a practical means of introducing students to the law and to increase understanding of the basis of our judicial system.

The competition also helps students to increase basic skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading and analysing. The goal is not to win for the sake of winning, but to learn and understand the meaning of good citizenship through participation in our system of law and justice. All who participate in the Mock Trial Competition are winners in this sense.

Who can participate

The Mock Trial Competition is open to students in years 10 and 11 up to the age of 21. Read more about How to enter your school.

How the mock trials are conducted

Each team consists of 6 students who play the roles of barristers, lawyers and witnesses. In most cases the Law Society will assign a Coach to each team, who is a qualified barrister or solicitor. The Coach provides information about court procedures and advocacy techniques.

The Law Society also provides 'the case' for the mock trials. The cases are confined to simple criminal and civil matters heard in the Local or District Court. The case scripts for every round of the Competition are posted here by the dates specified in the Competition timetable. Please note that the script material is password protected to ensure fairness. The Mock Trial Coordinator will email a password to you.

A team may act as either the defence or prosecution during a trial, with each team member taking on the role of a barrister, solicitor, court officer or witness, pitting their skills against the opposing side - a team from another school.

Each trial is presided over by a Magistrate (a solicitor or barrister), who awards marks to each team based on a range of criteria, such as opening addresses, closing submissions and cross examinations. The team with the highest mark wins the trial.

It is up to schools to organise the time and place of their mock trial and return their scores to the Law Society by the due date specified in the Competition timetable.

Any amendments or changes to scripts or timetables are emailed immediately to teachers and posted in the News section of the Mock Trial Competition homepage.

How the competition works

The first four rounds of the Competition are run on a regional round robin-basis, and the rounds are held in each of the ten regions from February to late June.

The top 64 scoring teams across NSW and the ACT then compete on a knockout basis until two schools are left to meet for the Grand Final in early December. The winner of the State Grand Final is then eligible to compete in the International Mock Trial.

More information

Please familiarise yourself with all the Mock Trial Competition material available on this site. If you have any further questions or require further information, contact the Commuity Events Co-ordinator.