Young Speakers Scotland is an educational charity that uses debating and public speaking to help young people realise their potential. Through workshops, competitions and events it aims to equip young people with confidence, critical thinking ability and general knowledge to impact their lives.

Pupils from Broxburn Academy, Dingwall Academy, Dollar Academy, George Heriot’s School, Invergordon Academy, Stirling High School and Wellington School made it into the finals.

Each school fielded a team of two pupils. Lady Ross KC sat on the finals judging panel, which saw the Broxburn Academy team being declared the Mace champions. A Novice Final for the two best junior teams – Aberdeen Grammar School and Currie Community High School – was held for the first time. This final was won by Currie Community High School.

Faculty treasurer Ruth Crawford KC took the role of judge during a mock motion for interim interdict, demonstrating how proceedings would run with the assistance of devils Aimee Dovan, Kevin Jarvis and Euan Bruce.

“It was a pleasure to attend the event and see the pupils competing,” said Bruce Langlands, director of training and education at Faculty.

“I spent some time discussing my career path to the bar and what it’s like to be an advocate. Thereafter a few of this year’s devils assisted some of the students to perform a Motion for interim interdict in Court 1 before the devils undertook their own demonstration of the exercise.

“The pupils took to the exercise with ease and were very confident appearing in court – much more than I would have been at their age. Whatever they choose to do, they all have very bright futures ahead of them.”

“Debaters were thrilled to get the opportunity to debate in actual courtrooms, and the interactive presentation from the Faculty of Advocates on what being an advocate entails gave debaters with an interest in law an opportunity to see what doing so looks like firsthand,” said Jordan Pfotenhauer, programmes director at Young Speakers Scotland.

Pupils qualified for this year’s finals after taking part in a series of preliminary rounds across Scotland. Thirty-nine schools took part, with a record number of 72 per cent being from state schools. Young Speakers Scotland organised a heat in the Highlands for the first time. In total, teams from 14 different local authorities competed in the early rounds, creating a diverse and competitive field of debaters.