28 October 2024
Subiaco’s Bob Hawke College has won this year’s Law Society of Western Australia’s Mock Trial Competition – for the second year in a row – in a case which carried themes from the 1990’s cult classic The Big Lebowski.
The competition has run since 1987 and pits student teams against each other in a real courtroom environment, where they role-play as barristers, solicitors, witnesses and judicial staff.
School teams are provided with a mock case outline and use simplified Rules of Evidence to argue for the prosecution and defence.
This year, 1200 students from 64 schools in Perth and the Southwest took part in 191 mock trials, including the October 24 grand final between Bob Hawke College and Attadale’s Santa Maria College, which was adjudicated by Western Australia’s Chief Justice, the Hon. Peter Quinlan.
The grand final saw Santa Maria College representing the prosecution and Bob Hawke College representing the accused – ‘Jeff Lebowski’ – on a charge of wilfully setting fire to a vintage Ford Gran Torino, owned by a man with the same name.
In another nod to the movie, Bob Hawke College argued that police had arrested the wrong ‘dude’. After a two-hour mock trial, the Chief Justice agreed.
The winning team’s Politics and Law teacher, Elina Khvorostova, said the school was delighted with the back-to-back wins.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our students’ effort, dedication and stellar performance,” Ms Khvorostova said.
“They truly live and breathe the Mock Trial Competition and it’s always rewarding to see all the rehearsals come to life.”
The competition, for Years 10-12, is recognised by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) as a Provider-Developed Endorsed Program and students who participate in at least three trials are eligible to achieve WACE Standard Level accreditation.
Law Society President Paula Wilkinson said it was great to see so many former competition participants back to watch their own children taking part.
“They also return as mock trial judges and coaches, keen to pass on their knowledge and skills to up-and-coming lawyers of tomorrow,” Ms Wilkinson said.
Bob Hawke College has had its name added to a perpetual trophy. Registrations for the 2025 competition open in February.