This semester, our Year 10 GATE students stood before a real judge, in a real courtroom, and argued real legal cases against some of the strongest student teams in Western Australia. Notes prepared, arguments drafted, questions rehearsed — but the moment the court is called to order, the pressure, uncertainty, and adrenaline hit differently in a way no classroom ever could.
From March to June, they participated in the Law Society of Western Australia’s Mock Trial Competition (MTC) — a prestigious, long-running program now in its 39th year, held at the historic Supreme Court building in Perth’s Stirling Gardens. Taking on the roles of barristers, instructing solicitors, witnesses, and court officers, our students presented both sides of three very different fictitious legal cases across three competitive rounds.
It was challenging, occasionally nerve-wracking, and by all accounts, a great learning experience.
Round 1 — State of Western Australia v Ashcroft
The team opened the competition as the Prosecution in a criminal matter: a common assault charge against a Booragoon resident accused of deliberately knocking a university student off his e-scooter. She alleged it was the same young man who had previously destroyed her prize sunflower garden. With conflicting witness accounts, a discovered crossbow, and a complainant who had initially lied to police, the case relied entirely on credibility. The team prosecuted hard, and while the judgement was not found in their favour, they left the courtroom with valuable lessons and a clear sense of what they would do differently next time.
What was your first thought when you walked into the Supreme Court building?
“It was quite intimidating and had a very formal air to it.”
Round 2 — State of Western Australia v Caponi
Regrouping with purpose, the team returned as the Defence. The case involved Al Caponi, a larger-than-life insurance salesman charged under an obscure provision of the Criminal Code for allegedly wiping bird droppings from the roof of his McLaren. Defending the charge required the team to argue, with complete legal seriousness, that the prosecution could not establish beyond reasonable doubt that what was removed from the car roof actually constituted “guano” in the eyes of the law.
Equal parts absurd and genuinely demanding — exactly the kind of scenario that tests a student’s ability to construct a rigorous argument regardless of how unusual the subject matter. The judgement was found in the Defence’s favour, securing the team their first win.
Describe a moment when you had to think on your feet inside the courtroom. How did you handle it?
“When the opposition would object during my cross-examination. I just had to think of ways to debunk their objections within the boundaries of the law.”
Round 3 — Reed v Thompson
The final round was the most complex and competitive. As the Plaintiff, our students argued on behalf of Ava Reed — a mining engineer seeking recognition as the de facto partner of her late partner Xavier Thompson, who had died in a workplace accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo while working a demanding FIFO contract. To succeed, the team needed to prove on the balance of probabilities that the couple were still living as de facto partners at the time of his death — against a defence armed with text message evidence, witness testimony from the deceased’s family, and a will that predated the relationship entirely.
The opposition was experienced, the legal framework was unfamiliar, and the emotional weight of the case added another layer of difficulty. The judgement was not found in their favour, but they recorded their highest score of the entire competition. In a field of up to 120 teams from across Western Australia, that is a result to be genuinely proud of.
What advice would you give to next year’s students before they walk into the Supreme Court for the first time?
“Be prepared to be versing people who are older and have more experience doing this than you. See it as a learning opportunity, do your best and have fun!”
More than a competition
The MTC is one of several competitions that offer real-world learning experiences as part of SCBC’s GATE program. What makes it distinctive is the environment it places students in — there is no safety net of a classroom, no draft to revise, and no second attempt. Students must research deeply, communicate persuasively, solve problems in real time, collaborate under pressure, and then reflect honestly on how they performed. Every one of those skills sits at the core of what our GATE program is designed to develop — and flows directly back into the classroom, strengthening the analytical and communication skills that underpin success across subjects like English and Humanities.
Opportunities like this won’t be possible without the support and guidance of their GATE teacher, Mr JD Gerber, alongside the mentorship of Mr Nathan Fawkes, a WA Senior State Prosecutor whose expertise gave our students an insight into courtroom advocacy that no textbook could replicate. We are grateful to the Law Society of Western Australia for making this experience available to our students, and we look forward to seeing what next year’s cohort brings to the Supreme Court steps.