The Huish Law School won the South Wales regional heats of the Bar Mock Trial Competition on Saturday, 15th November 2025 at Cardiff Crown Court, securing a place in the National Finals for the second consecutive year. The team is now eagerly preparing for the finals scheduled for March/April.
The competition saw Huish law mooting students tackle two challenging criminal cases:
- R v Baines –possession of drugs with intent to supply
- R v Burns –possession of a firearm
The team prepared all elements of both prosecution and defence cases, including witness testimony, legal arguments, and courtroom strategy. Under the guidance of Rupert Russell from Albion Chambers and with sponsorship from Albion Chambers, along with coaching from IP barrister Jessie Bowhill, students dedicated long hours to practice, honing their advocacy skills and mastering courtroom etiquette.
Their hard work paid off:
- Round 1: Acting as the prosecution in R v Baines, Huish defeated St Albans RC School
- Round 2: They secured another win against Bridgwater College Academy in R v Burns
- Round 3: As the defence in R v Baines, Huish fought to a hung jury, showcasing resilience and adaptability.
The judges praised the team for their professionalism and confidence, noting that “every student truly owned their role in court.” Witness performances were particularly commended for their realism and attention to detail.
Rowena Mudge, Course Manager for Law, reflected on the achievement: “This success is a testament to the students’ dedication and passion for advocacy, the dedication of my staff team, especially Master of Moots Rob Durdin. They’ve demonstrated not only legal knowledge but also the confidence and teamwork essential for a career at the Bar.”
Rob Durdin, Master of Moots, added: “The level of preparation and commitment was outstanding. Watching the students grow into their roles and deliver such polished performances was inspiring.”
Parents also expressed their gratitude, with one parent sharing:
“Thank you so much for offering her the chance to take part in this process. She is absolutely loving it, and her confidence is growing daily as a result of all the hard work and practice!”
Next on the mooting schedule is our Christmas moot! Where Huish Mooters will be trying Jack Skellington (Nightmare before Chridtmas) for Fraud and the False Imprisonment of Father Christmas!
Huish Law School now looks forward to representing the region at the National Finals, continuing its tradition of excellence in legal education and advocacy.