Team Scotland takes third place in International Moot Court competition

The team comprised eight Scottish high school students from across the country who were coached by Stephen Waclawski and Lewis Richardson, both of BTO, and advocates David McLean and Jamie Gardiner.

The School Mock Court Case Project is a registered charity and runs annual projects with primary and secondary schools across Scotland with an average of 3,000 students every academic year.

The team was accompanied by Gerald Murphy of Chamberlain McBain, chair of the School Mock Court Case Project Board, and Kirsty Waughman of Thorntons Law. It was a hugely successful competition with 12 international teams and over 130 participants.

Team Scotland raced ahead to third place winning cases against the likes of Poland, Russia, USA, Azerbaijan and Venezuela. With a bagpiper, Lewis Hay from Prestwick Academy on the team and donated gifts from Creative Scotland, Tunnocks and the Scottish Book Trust, Team Scotland shared more than just their legal capabilities with the competition, delighting the international hosts and guests with Scottish tunes and blether.

Following on from their success, Poland’s Judge Zabludowska will be visiting Scotland early June to preside over the School Mock Court Junior finals and the ICC’s Judge Orle will hear a special case for the seniors in September. Both judges will be giving talks to the profession and other interested parties when visiting Scotland.

Mr Murphy told Scottish Legal News: “Watching these young people progress from nervous wrecks at the selection session to being able to hold their own against seasoned competitors was breathtaking.

“Their abilities were commented on and have even inspired judges themselves to come to Scotland to hear the advocacy skills of our students. Congratulations and thanks to all.”