Twenty-four schools from around Suffolk have signed up to take part in a junior schools’ mock trial competition at Ipswich Crown Court.

The competition, which is for children in years five and six, will give pupils the chance to act out the various roles involved in the trial process in a real courtroom.

A commemorative wooden judge’s wig stand trophy, made by Ipswich Crown Court Judge Rupert Overbury who is organising the competition with staff members Peter Millar and Zoe Wickham, will be presented to the winners.

All children taking part in the final will receive free match tickets from Ipswich Town Football Club and the club will also give a signed Ipswich Town banner to the winning school.

During the competition, which will be held at Ipswich Crown Court, each school will act out a pre-prepared mock trial script simulating trial proceedings, with pupils being able to dress up and undertake the roles of the judge, barristers, police officers, jurors, court staff and witnesses.

“Taking part in the competition is a great confidence booster and will stand the participants in good stead when they go to high school,” said Judge Overbury.

He said the competition would give the schoolchildren taking part an insight into how the legal system worked and would provide good practice in public speaking.

Schools taking part are St Margaret’s CEVA primary school, Handford Hall primary school, St Mary’s Catholic school and Castle Hill junior school from Ipswich; Birchwood primary school, Martlesham Heath; Corton primary school ; Pot Kiln primary school and Wells Hall primary school, Sudbury; Exning primary school; Stanton community primary school; Otley primary school; Chilton community primary school; St Mary’s C of E primary school, Hadleigh; Elm Tree community primary school and Poplars primary school, Lowestoft; Reydon primary school; Gorseland primary school, Kesgrave; Elveden C of E primary academy; Stratford St Mary primary school; Albert Pye community primary school, Beccles; Sandlings primary school,Woodbridge; All Saints CEVA primary school, Newmarket; Elmswell community primary school and Palgrave primary school.

The competition will get underway in September and the final will take place on March 15 next year when the High Sheriff of Suffolk George Vestey DL and representatives of Red Lion Chambers and ITFC,who have sponsored the competition, will be attending.