Easily the most impressive thing I’ve done in my life
The most refreshing and rewarding experience I’ve ever had. A great honour to be a part of.
The Mock Trials Competition is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done as a student in school. I have memories that will last a lifetime from my own time doing the Mock Trials when I was in Transition Year, of working on the cases for weeks leading up to the competition, getting to know my classmates while doing so and of performing in the CCJ in April 2016. I enjoyed it so much that I could not wait to help this years TYs to go even further, after last year when we narrowly missed out on winning the 3 trials. Every year our school has got that little bit closer to the Top 4. Finally this year we achieved our ultimate goal- coming first!! Such hard work has been put into this since the auditions took place last December. The TYs practiced with 2 old cases from previous years before this years cases were announced to give them a good understanding for how it works and then intensive work began on the 2 cases. There was so much work put in from January right up until this week.This would not have been achieved were it not for all the hard work and dedication the Transition Years put in and I was delighted to give a helping hand using my experience from last year. We worked as one big team and I got to know the TYs so well over the last few months. Its evident that everyones teamwork, communications, confidence and leadership skills improved over the last few months. The Mock Trials has also completely changed my thoughts on what I would like to do after school. I am now considering doing Law at University. I would never have thought about pursuing a career in law were it not for the Mock Trials
It was an amazing experience, it opened my eyes to the world of law. I’m so grateful for having the opportunity to have been one of the lucky few who won the all Ireland mock trial competition.
Public Access to Law was a platform in which we had the opportunity stand out, to be heard and to debate. It is a competition that tests not only your speaking skills, but your teamwork and determination. We were given the chance to grow as young people by learning new public speaking skills… And of course we took pleasure in learning about our very own laws here in Ireland, and how to conduct a court case. These skills will stand to us as young people, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience as a whole. It has even led to multiple girls considering to work in law in the future.
As a quiet person, PAL helped me express my opinions and creative skills. I learnt so much about an Irish courtroom, each role in a courtroom and the importance of every detail put in to your case. Intense learning and creative ideas that we added into our cases were well worth the day in the Criminal Court of Justice where we put our skills and practice to good work. As well as the competition, I loved meeting students from all over Ireland and made friends that I still talk to today.
Taking part in both Public Access to Law and eventually in Empire Mock Trial was such a rewarding experience for both myself and for the team. It was a surreal experience to watch the entire team work together on the cases throughout many months prior both competitions and bond over the course of this time.
My experience during the Mock trial competition as a whole has been very positive. Working on the cases to winning the national competition and progressing to New York, The law team is something I would highly recommend.
The mock trial programme offered me a once in a lifetime experience. Winning the national competition and competing in the world championships were undoubtedly some of the best moments I have had in my secondary school life.
The law team has been an unbelievable experience for me. I have to say, it was one of the best experiences of my life going to new York with my team mates and friends If I could do it all again I would.
Truly a feeling I’ve never before experienced.
It was interesting to learn about the law in Ireland and I enjoyed learning skills and making new friends.
The P.A.L. module was a great experience – they all really loved and enjoyed it. Looking forward to this years’s course and competition.
The P.A.L. module has been very much part of Transition Year in this school since 1999. We are totally satisfied with it. I think it’s wonderful. An excellent opportunity for students to learn about the legal profession and they will also enjoy it. It is one of the highlights of the school year and I would recommend it to any school.
This is one of the best events in Transition Year. I wish we could participate in this event every year! The students (both participants and supporters) love it.
The P.A.L. module was a revelation to our students-very successful.
P.A.L. is an invaluable experience for all Transition Year students and the Mock Trials is the highpoint of the school year.
I am most appreciative of all your work and effort in devising, co-ordinating and implementing an excellent learning experience in an area integral to all our daily lives but which is sadly not addressed in our formal curriculum.
The course was a huge success as usual. It is now an integral part of our Transition Year Programme.
Many Thanks for the P.A.L. module, it was a great success as usual and the girls really enjoyed it. I would certainly be interested in booking it in for next year.
The P.A.L. module was a great success and really benefited all students involved. Participating and winning the National Mock Trials Competition was a major highlight for our Transition Year students.
The Law module is something all fourth year students should get involved in, even if they are not interested in a career in law. Law should be accessible to everyone and this law module is a great way of making it happen.
I was absolutely thrilled to take part in the TV Reporting section of the competition. I’ve always wanted to be a TV reporter and here I had a great opportunity to write and do a TV presentation ‘live’ in front of cameras! It was brilliant fun and something I will never forget.
It was a brilliant experience that I’ll never forget. It was such a different way of learning that made it all the more fun.
What a confidence-booster. Imagine standing up in the middle of the Court No.1. making my opening speech and cross-examining with the intensity of a terrier? Well it was no dream. It happened.