Bar Mock Trial Competition: Richard Huish College Crowned Best in the UK
Huish students recently triumphed at the 2025–26 National Bar Mock Trial Competition, with the Huish Law School team securing the top title in the UK.
This outstanding achievement places Huish at the forefront of legal education nationally, following strong competition from St Peter’s College and Truro & Penwith College (who finished second and third respectively). Hertfordshire & Essex School and College was also named Highest Performing New School, reflecting the high standard of institutions competing in the national finals.
Commenting on the win, Rowena Mudge, Course Manager for Law, said:
“I could not be more delighted. Each member of the team demonstrated talent, professionalism and determination. I also want to recognise the huge effort from the Huish staff who supported this journey every step of the way. This first national win is a truly special moment and one that will open doors for years to come.”
Held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Saturday 21 st March, the Huish mooting team left Taunton at 4.00am on the day to head to the capital, where they competed against 24 other national finalists in the historic courts. This year’s competition, organised by Young Citizens, saw more than 2,000 students from 230 schools and colleges take part.
The final followed 24 regional heats across the UK, with the Huish team securing their place after winning the Cardiff heat back in November 2025.
Three rounds, two cases, one national title
During the national final, the Huish team competed in three mock trials: R v Burns, involving the misuse of a firearm (once as the Prosecution and once as the Defence), and R v Baines, relating to intent to supply Class A drugs (acting as the Defence).
During these trials and in the months leading up to the final, students took on the roles of barristers, defendants, witnesses, clerks, ushers, and jury members, working as one cohesive team. It is therefore no surprise that judges praised their “Oscar-winning” performances and commented that the students “had the brightest of futures at the Bar”.
Student participants also spoke passionately about the impact of the programme, alongside celebrating news of university offers. This included seven mooting students receiving offers to read law at university, including one from the University of Oxford.
Ben Madeley, one of the students taking part as a defendant and clerk (and who scored 10/10 for one of his performances) said: “Wherever we go from here, this will always be ours. Not just the win, but the journey, the laughter, the pressure, and the way we stood by each other through it all. Years from now, we won’t remember every argument we made but we will remember this team, and how it felt to be part of something this special.”
Rob Durdin, Master of Moots and A Level Law Teacher, also highlighted how proud he was of the Huish Law School team: “I’m still in awe. Every student played their part, and this win reflects months of hard work, resilience and teamwork. Our barristers were outstanding, and our witnesses, clerks and ushers shone throughout the day. I’m incredibly proud of what this team achieved.”
Huish Law School grateful for support
Huish Law School are immensely grateful for the support from its sponsors and would like to extend thanks to the following: Albion Chambers for their ongoing financial and coaching support, 8 New Square for generously funding the travel to the national finals, and Jessie Bowhill KC and Lorna Hackett (Lincoln’s Inn Advocacy Trainer) for an exceptional joint advocacy coaching day. The support from these barristers has been instrumental in helping Huish’s mooters grow into confident, skilled advocates.
Huish would also like to extend its thanks to Young Citizens for organising an exceptional competition and creating such a memorable and valuable experience for all students involved.
A national leader in legal education
The Huish Mooting and Advocacy Programme promotes opportunity, aspiration and social mobility at the Bar. Alongside its onsite mock courtroom, top 3% national A Level Law results, and recognition as SFCA Innovation Award RunnersUp, Huish now proudly adds ‘National Mooting Champions’ to its achievements, a first for the college and for the South West region.
This sentiment of student-centred opportunity is reflected in comments from a parent of one of the winning mooters at the National Bar Mock Trial Final: “What an incredible force for future good you are moulding at Huish…as a parent, I am humbled by the hard work and dedication of the team. What a privilege to have been an observer in this historic journey for the college and I know how proud my daughter is to have helped bring this phenomenal ‘first’ to Somerset – this is life changing for the students involved”.
If you’d like to learn more about Huish, including the wide range of subjects and EnRICH opportunities available, registration is open for their upcoming Open Evening on Wednesday 29th April; you’ll be able to explore the campus, meet the staff and students, and find out more about student life. https://www.huish.ac.uk/event/summer-open-evening-2026/