St Patrick's launched our inaugural Mock Trial campaign with great enthusiasm, visiting Broughton Anglican College to compete against their team. Our first competition involved a civil case where the defendant (St Patrick's), Horses for Courses Limited, was sued for negligence by the plaintiff (Broughton Anglican College). The trial allowed us to develop an understanding of Section 5B of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW).

Two weeks prior to the event, the participants received a script, and the St Pat's team has been meeting multiple times a week to prepare for the competition. We were also fortunate to have been supported by College Alumni Anastasia Socorro, who is a practicing lawyer and who provided us with a number of strategies to prepare our defense.

The morning of the competition was described as a "melting pot of emotions" by Navya, one of our team members. Nervous anticipation filled the air as we reviewed our notes, addressed final queries, and conducted our own run-through before facing the opposing team. The day was a success. The trial itself was engaging and kept us captivated throughout. While we encountered several challenges, our team emerged victorious. Magistrate Amy Douglas-Baker graciously provided feedback and guidance, contributing to a smooth and enriching experience.

A special thank you goes to Ms Pedder and Mr White for their invaluable support in refining our skills within a short timeframe. This first round was a resounding success, marking our girls' triumphant start to the season. We are grateful for this opportunity and eagerly anticipate the upcoming second round.

Molly P - Year 11