Dunelm Mock Trial Championships final judged by Lord Hughes of Ombersley

^{(Photo: from left to right Duncan Roesser, Celina Barton, Lord Hughes, Shray Modi, Soryoung Han)}

Over the course of the Epiphany Term 2025, students from ten universities across the UK took part in the annual Dunelm Mock Trial Championships organised by Durham University Bar Society. The preliminary rounds took place internally and were judged by the executive teams of Bar Societies from each university. Here at Durham, Annabelle Martin and Amaan Ali Khan each delivered highly commendable opening and closing statements, earning them a place in the Semi-Final to represent Team Durham.

The level of advocacy displayed in the Semi-Final by competitors from each university was excellent. Mark McKone KC, who very kindly offered his time to judge this stage of the competition, was certainly challenged to select just two teams to advance to the Final. In the end, the competitors from the London School of Economics and St. Andrews emerged as the highest scoring teams. A special mention goes to Durham’s Annabelle Martin, who was named ‘Best Advocate’.

The Final

The Final was graciously judged by Lord Hughes of Ombersley, former UK Supreme Court Judge and joint President of the Durham Law School Alumni Association.  It took place on March 15^th at Hatfield College, Durham, where the cases for the prosecution and defence were brilliantly put by:

• Prosecution Barrister 1: Soryoung Han (LSE)
• Prosecution Barrister 2: Shray Modi (LSE)
• Defence Barrister 1: Duncan Roesser (St Andrews)
• Defence Barrister 2: Celina Barton (St Andrews)

^{(Photo: Lord Hughes shaking the hand of Celina Barton, with Duncan Roesser, Shray Modi, and Soryoung Han)}

Each advocate was required to present an opening or closing statement as well as conduct both an examination-in-chief and a cross-examination. All four advocates rose to the task and demonstrated an extremely high level of advocacy, offering persuasive arguments and effectively eliciting relevant evidence from the witnesses. Both teams impressed Lord Hughes with thee standard of their advocacy and delivery of compelling cases. The team from LSE was declared the winner.

Thank you from the Bar Society

The competition made for a wonderful display of advocacy for all who attended. The Bar Society would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this event a success; in particular:

• Lord Hughes
• Mark McKone KC
• all of the competitors for their preparation time and enthusiasm.
• Bar Society members who signed up to be the jury,
• the four fantastic witnesses – Olivia Clouting, Raphael Henrion, Poppy Mawdsley and Emily Riddleston.
• Ailis Neligan for ushering,
• Lavanya Dev-Kauffmann and Anna Thoomkuzhy for their assistance in judging,
• Mock Trial Officers – William Swap and Samar Ahmed for coordinating the competition, and
• the entire Bar Society Executive Team for their time and efforts in organising and supporting the competition.

Some wonderful photos or the event can be found here taken by Horatio Wong

More about Durham University Bar Society here

More about Durham Law School Alumni Association here