Big Apple looms for Dunbar Grammar pupils after Mock Court win

Six school pupils are heading to New York after coming out on top in Scotland’s Mock Court Project.

Dunbar Grammar School took on Prestwick Academy in the final of the Scottish Schools Mock Court Project at Glasgow City Chambers this month, the East Lothian Courier reports.

The project gives youngsters the chance to participate in a mock trial before a real sheriff.

A pursuer team comprising pupils Zosia Kuczok, Finlay McConnachie, Anique Burke, Roman Burke, Morgan Forbes and Olivia Laird made it to the final where they argued their case before Sir David Edward, a former judge of the European Court of Justice and Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk, at the Signet Library.

Zosia, who intends to study law at university, said: “It has been a massive confidence booster for me – to be able to stand up in court and talk for ten minutes is not something I would have imagined three years ago.”

The pupils each assumed different roles in a personal injury case involving a mechanic who sustained an injury repairing the owner’s car.

Dunbar Grammar pupils ultimately persuaded the judges that the pursuer was entitled to a sum of around £1.3 million.

The budding lawyers will now proceed to the next stage of the project in New York, where they will compete against American teams.

Paul Raffaelli, headteacher at Dunbar Grammar School, said: “We are all extremely proud of our students’ success in this year’s Mock Court competition.

“Not only did our pursuer’s team win first prize with a visit to New York in June, but two of our students progressed to a selection panel which will identify a UK team to take part in a World Mock Court competition at the European Court of Human Rights in the Hague in January/February.”

Laura McMillan, director of advocacy at Brodies, a supporter of the project, added: “We are delighted to support the School Mock Court Case Project this year, it’s a very worthwhile initiative which gives young people from all backgrounds an insight into the legal profession and an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be involved in the court process.”