On Saturday morning, 20 March 2004 the Laganside Courts hosted the Mock Trial Competition.

Six schools from across Northern Ireland competed for the top prize. The competition is based on teams of students "role playing" a specifically written case, that is typical of a magistrate's case, with their performances being judged by real magistrates and the legal profession.

The participating schools were:-

• Bloomfield Collegiate;
• Foyle and Londonderry College;
• Grosvenor Grammar School;
• St. Patrick's High School, Armagh;
• St. Patrick's Academy, Dungannon
• Strathearn College.

Help was obtained from Resident Magistrates and members of the legal profession, three acting as Head Magistrates and the others judged the schools' performance.

Members of Laganside Courts staff assisted as scorers and stewards on the day.

The competition benefits young people by:

• providing students with a valuable insight into the criminal justice system;
• functioning as an important teaching resource for the new citizenship curriculum;
• offering the opportunity for students to meet and talk to members of the legal profession;
• giving students a chance to improve their public speaking skills and self-confidence.

The competition is nationally co-ordinated by the Citizenship Foundation in conjunction with the Magistrates' Association. The Foundation is a registered charity that aims to empower people, particularly the young and disadvantaged, with the knowledge and skills to engage positively with their communities.

This year's Northern Ireland Regional winners, Foyle and Londonderry College, are going to the National Finals held at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 10 July 2004.