This round centred on a case of larceny under Section 117 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). The matter was heard in the context of the Local Court of NSW, where the defendant, Casey Doyle, stood accused of stealing $2,000 in cash — allegedly taken from the Metro Banking Corporation.
Henry Kendall High School took on the role of the Prosecution, bearing the responsibility of proving each element of larceny beyond reasonable doubt, including:
- That the accused took and carried away property
- That it belonged to another
- Without the owner’s consent and
- With the intention to permanently and fraudulently deprive the rightful owner
St Edward’s College represented the Defence and was not required to prove the defendant’s innocence. Instead, our task was to challenge the Prosecution’s case, particularly by raising reasonable doubt about the accused’s intention and knowledge at the time of the incident — both crucial elements in a larceny charge.
St Edward’s presented persuasive legal arguments and handled the courtroom environment with confidence and professionalism. Despite a strong showing, the magistrate ruled in favour of Henry Kendall High School, awarding them the case and the overall trial.
While St Edward’s did not win this round, the team demonstrated a sound understanding of the legal principles and displayed excellent advocacy and teamwork under pressure. Their ability to question witnesses, manage legal objections and present logical argumentation highlighted their growing courtroom skills.
A special mention goes to Max Armour, Angus Stewart and Johnny Lin, who took on the demanding roles of witness, barrister and courtroom officer despite not studying Legal Studies. They were exceptionally composed, well-prepared, and quick-thinking under pressure, making valuable contributions to the Defence team’s performance. Their willingness to step up and their ability to engage with complex legal material was impressive.
We were once again fortunate to receive expert guidance from solicitor Mr Nick Fagan of Tonkin Drysdale Partners. His support in fine-tuning the team’s arguments and assisting the boys in developing clear, confident courtroom communication was invaluable. Mr Fagan’s practical advice helped the students strengthen their case structure, anticipate objections and think on their feet. His involvement not only enhanced their legal understanding but also boosted their confidence and composure under pressure.
We would also like to acknowledge Ms Katie Moon for her invaluable support throughout the day. Ms Moon played a key part in keeping the team grounded, well-prepared and composed before the trial began. Her calm presence and encouragement helped ensure everything ran smoothly, allowing the students to focus entirely on their roles in the courtroom.
We were also glad to have some Year 10 Commerce students join us as audience members. They showed great focus and respect during the trial and had the chance to see legal concepts in action. Some were so interested that they even came back to watch again—a great sign of how engaging and worthwhile the experience was.
Although we didn’t secure a win this time, the journey has been incredibly rewarding for everyone involved. The competition has now ended for us, with only the top 32 schools progressing to Round 4. We are proud of the team’s commitment, progress and determination throughout each round. We are confident some future solicitors are emerging from this team!
