The Attorney General has called on young people to join the legal profession and value the rule of law during a speech at a national legal competition for schools.
Speaking at the final of the Bar Mock Trial Competition at the Royal Courts of Justice this weekend, Lord Hermer told state school students to “come and be brilliant lawyers” because “the country needs you”.
“Many of you want to pursue careers in law, and I think that’s a wonderful thing to do”, he said. “I was state educated, and the first person in my immediate family to graduate from university, and I want you to know that law is a career for you. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Attorney General meets students at the Royal Courts of Justice. Photo credit: Sabrina Fearon-Melville
The value of the rule of law
The Government’s chief legal adviser also used the speech to raise his ongoing concerns about respect for the rule of law. He said that many of its key tenets were “under attack”, including the independence of the judiciary, the idea that the law should protect human rights and, in a reference to online misinformation, “the value in working out what is objectively true or not true.”
Addressing students at the end of the competition, he said: “By taking part in this mock trial competition, you have committed to a process of the rule of law, and I would like to thank you for that. To see so many engaged young citizens here has given me a huge sense of optimism.”
The comments come after a study by the Legal Services Board found that two-fifths (38%) of adults in England and Wales have a low level of legal confidence.
Students from Campbell College, Belfast meet Dr. Sally Penni MBE. Photo credit: Sabrina Fearon-Melville / Young Citizens
‘You don’t get this sort of opportunity every day’
Founded in 1991 by Young Citizens, and supported by the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Bar Mock Trial Competition is a legal education programme in which state school pupils compete in mock criminal trials, taking on roles such as barristers, witnesses, defendants and jurors.
214 schools and over 3,000 students took part in the competition in 2025, with The Boswells School from Chelmsford, Essex named the overall winners, followed by The Campbell College, Belfast and Runshaw College, Leyland in second and third place respectively.
It marks The Boswell School’s first victory in the competition, having competed every year since 1996 without taking the top prize.
Gabriella, 18, a student at the school, said: “The competition has allowed me to gain so many skills that will be useful later in life. Being able to present a case in a real courtroom at the Royal Courts of Justice has confirmed that I want to be a barrister.”
Lily, 17, also from The Boswells School, said: “It has given me a lot of confidence, because you have to do a lot of public speaking in front of real judges and other schools. You don’t get this sort of opportunity every day. It was really fun.”
Catherine Hale, Head of Law, said: “It means the world to us to finally win the title. I have a personal tie with the competition, having been to the National Finals in Cardiff as a student of the school in 2014. To be back with such a fantastic group of budding barristers and solicitors was amazing. It is a fantastic initiative that will shape their future. I’d like to give a special thanks to my former law teacher, Ann Flanigan, who was at the finals with us as a volunteer, continuing to support our involvement.”
Lady Justice Thirlwall addressing finalists at the end of the day. Photo credit: Sabrina Fearon-Melville / Young Citizens
Special guests
Also attending the event were Lady Justice Thirlwall, who is overseeing the inquiry into the Lucy Letby case, former Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza and chair of the Bar Council, Barbara Mills KC.
Barbara Mills KC said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to meet barristers, visit courtrooms and get a unique insight into the justice system. Whether or not they want to pursue a career in law, we know the competition gives them skills, knowledge and confidence that will last a lifetime.”
Ashley Hodges, Chief Executive at Young Citizens, said: “To achieve a thriving democracy of active citizens, young people need to know how our legal justice system works and why it matters. We are proud to give thousands of students an immersive way to understand their rights and our systems integral to the rule of law each year. This is fundamental to a fair society in which all can play their part.”
Pictured (left to right): Justice Matthew Nicklin, Dr Sally Penni MBE, Judge Avik Mukherjee, Judge David Aubrey, Judge Louise Brandon, Judge Christopher Kinch.
Full list of prize winners
Winner: The Boswells School
Second Place: Campbell College
Third Place: Runshaw College
Highest Scoring Court Usher: The Becket School
Highest Scoring Court Clerk: Wymondham College
Highest performing new team: Greenshaw High School
R v Speed case
Highest Scoring Prosecution Barristers: The Becket School
Highest Scoring Defence Barristers: The Excelsior Academy
Highest Scoring Witness: Prosecution Witness 2, The Excelsior Academy
R v Hinton case
Highest Scoring Prosecution Barristers: Cheadle Hulme High School
Highest Scoring Defence Barristers: Chingford Foundation School
Highest Scoring Witness: Defendant from Campbell College
You can out more about the programme here. Applications for the 2025-2026 competition in spring 2025.