Students from schools across the Isle of Wight have experienced what it is like to be in the courtroom thanks to the High Sheriff’s Inter Schools Mock Trial Competition, which took place on Saturday (9th December). Each year the competition enables young people to experience exactly how the legal process operates, with each school fielding teams to prosecute and defend a mock trial in front of a qualified judge within the Crown Courts at Newport. It also provides an opportunity for students to enhance their public speaking skills, self-confidence and teamwork. The winning team this year was The Island Sixth Form, closely followed by Christ The King College and Priory School – but every team showed great enthusiasm, skill, diligence and learning. The competition has now been running for over 11 years and during that time thousands of Island pupils have taken part. It was initially set up by Nick Hayward when he was High Sheriff in 2012, with support from retired judge Tim Milligan and retired tribunal judge Tim O’Flynn. The mock trial competition is only able to continue thanks to the support of His Honour Judge Tim Mousley KC, as well as ex-Deputy Director of the National Crime Squad, Bob Packham, and John Trotter, senior partner in a City law firm. This professional and highly experienced team give up their time freely each year to give local students a real taste of the law in action. Nick Hayward has said of this year’s event:
“It was an exciting day with all the students displaying a real sense of professionalism and confidence in their performances. The Judges and all the legal professionals involved commented on the very high standards reached by every student and congratulated both them and all the teachers for their hard work, dedication and understanding of the legal process”.
The event is kindly sponsored by Rouse Ltd, supported by Duxmore Botanics and Goddard’s Brewery, with the winners receiving the Rouse Ltd., High Sheriffs trophy. This was presented to the winning team by the current High Sheriff, Dawn Haigh Thomas. 
