A GROUP of students from a Somerset school is due in court next month – charged with acting out a mock trial for a national competition.

Fairlands Middle School pupils will travel to a Magistrates court in Bristol next month to take part in a competition where they enact a mock trial to show their legal knowledge.

Year eight pupils, aged 12-13 and studying citizenship, will split into two teams of prosecution and defence lawyers, then take on another then take on another set of pupils - so Fairland’s prosecution might tackle the defence from a different school.

The Magistrates Court Mock Trial Competition is run by the Citizenship Foundation, an independent education charity.

Citizenship teacher Kate Persaud said: “Though they have been practising like mad, there is no way of knowing what will happen on the day or what the other school’s side might say. The students are really excited.”

The school has entered the competition for the past six years, but is hopeful this year will be the first time it progresses to the finals, held in Nottinghamshire Crown Court.