Who should consider this opportunity?
Mock Trials require a wide range of volunteers, from mentor barristers and judges to event volunteers, both in person and some digital. Whether you’re an experienced legal professional or a law student, or even a former teacher, there could be a role for you.
“The Bar Mock Trial Competition was my first experience of the legal profession. Without it, I would not be a barrister now.”
Emily Andrew, Citadel Chambers
Why volunteer for the Mock Trial Competition?
Annually, we run 70 Mock Trial events all around the UK, bringing local school children into courtrooms to provide a unique insight into the judicial system.
The competitions help young people to understand how the law touches every aspect of their lives. By taking part in the competition, young people can improve their life skills, such as critical thinking and public speaking, whilst gaining an insight into how the legal justice system works.
By enabling students to interact with legal professionals, the competition helps develop employability skills and boosts social mobility. There is no better way to introduce students to the world of law than through this fun and engaging experience, which will stay with them for life.
“It is crucial that young people understand their role in society and the system that makes up our democracy.”
Rebecca Keeves, Cornwall Street Barristers
How can I get involved?
To get an idea of how you can get involved as a Mock Trial volunteer, use the information in the tabs below. They describe the roles we have available, as well as the skills, experience and time commitment required to get involved.
We accept applications for volunteers all year round. For most Mock Trial Competition volunteering roles, you will hear from us in September. The dates of the Mock Trial Competition heats vary each year. We will provide a timeline of heat dates in your area as part of your onboarding.
Register your interest in volunteering here
Team Mentor
What’s involved?
Team Mentors directly support young people in the lead up to their heat. This includes mentoring school teams on their advocacy style, helping to structure examinations in chief and assisting students to unpick criminal cases.
Time commitment
This role requires a minimum commitment of one session held virtually or in-person with an allocated school. Volunteers are welcome to schedule more sessions based on their availability.
Best suited to
- Legal professionals (including barristers, solicitors and judges)
- Postgraduate legal students (LPC or BPTC)
Competition Judge
What’s involved?
Our Competition Judges play a vital role in judging the schools performance during the trial.
Time commitment
This role requires availability to attend one heat day event, usually on a Saturday.
Best suited to
- Active or retired judges
- Experienced Barristers and QC Barristers.
- Magistrates, Solicitors and Barristers (Magistrates Mock Trial)
Heat Day Volunteer
What’s involved?
Our heat day volunteers assist with the logistics of running a busy and interactive mock criminal trial. This includes welcoming schools and supporting legal professionals volunteering on the day.
Time commitment
This role requires availability to attend one heat day event, usually on a Saturday.
Best suited to
- Anybody with an active passion for the UK judicial system.
- Legal students of any level.
Case writing project volunteer
What’s involved?
This is a project based role. Typically, volunteers will assist us with the research, planning and writing of our legal cases provided to schools in the run up to the Mock Trial Competition. Perfect for legal eagles with an eye for attention to detail!
Time commitment
This role typically involves a commitment of two to three hours a week over a two month period.
Best suited to
- Legal researchers
- Postgraduate law students
- Legal professionals to assist with checking the law and fact patterns
Local Organiser
What’s involved?
This is an active role in which you will assist the Mock Trial team to facilitate the competition on a local and/or regional level. It requires building local networks, liaising with courts and coordinating volunteers for our Magistrates Mock Trial.
Time commitment
While there is no strict time commitment for this role, volunteers play a key role in facilitating the Magistrates Mock Trial competition.
This typically requires a high level of availability for one full competition cycle (one academic year).
Best suited to
- Volunteers with at least 2 + years experience as a Mock Trial Volunteer
- Legal professionals with excellent networking abilities.
Regional Coordinator
What’s involved?
Regional Coordinators play a valuable role in helping to coordinate our Team Mentors and Judges for a Bar Mock Trial in their region. This role requires building local networks of mentors, judges, liaising with the Mock Trials Team and coordinating volunteers for our Bar Mock Trial Competition.
Time commitment
While there is no strict time commitment for this role, volunteers play a key role in facilitating the competition in the run up to the heats. This typically requires availability over one full competition cycle (one academic year).
Best suited to
- Volunteers with at least 2 + years experience as a Mock Trial Volunteer
- Legal professionals with excellent coordination and organisation skills.
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