2009...1
Friday 27 November 2009
Sydney students battle it out in ‘courtroom drama’
(Loreto Kirribilli v Fort Street High)
A team of secondary school students from Fort Street High in Petersham today took out
the Grand Final of the Law Society of NSW 2009 Mock Trial in Sydney.
Playing the roles of barristers, lawyers and witnesses, the students were required to
argue a case to the Supreme Court in front of trial judge, the Hon. Peter Hidden AM.
Students from Loreto Kirribilli in Sydney’s north were runners up in the 2009 Mock Trial
Competition.
Law Society President Joe Catanzariti said the annual event is a powerful and
entertaining way of introducing young people to the law and the judicial system.
“This competition is about giving students a taste of the legal industry and providing them
with an opportunity to build their court room knowledge and skills,” Mr Catanzariti said.
“The aim is to increase young people’s awareness and understandings of the legal
system and at the same time help them to hone their research, teamwork and
presentation skills.
“Hopefully the students will realise that the best court room dramas don’t always happen
on television.”
Eliza Fitzgerald from Loreto Kirribilli’s team was declared 'best advocate' and awarded a
part fee scholarship to study law at Bond University, presented by Professor David Field
from Bond University's School of Law.
Medallions were presented to the students in both teams along with semi-finalist teams
from Tangara School for Girls, Cherrybrook and Bega High School.
Mr Catanzariti commended the students from both teams on the quality of their
performances in today’s Grand Final.
“I’d also like to thank the hundreds of teachers and lawyers throughout NSW and the
ACT who have given their time and support to the competition this year,” he said.
More than 220 secondary schools from NSW and the ACT took part in the 2009 Mock
Trial competition, conducted by the Law Society of New South Wales and sponsored by
Bond University. Entries are now being invited for the 2010 Inter-School Mock Trial. Full
Media contact: Sue Finn 9926 0288 or 0412 346 648.
NEWS 
