Tuesday, 24 March 20264L08 Lucas Cheung
On 23 February, our Mock Trial team banded together for a friendly match against Lingnan Secondary School, where I was honoured with the position of timekeeper. As we began our case, I started timing using a stopwatch. While attention usually falls on the outcome of the match, I gained a unique perspective on the legal system. Participating in the friendly match refreshed my understanding of the legal system in Hong Kong. The Mock Trial Justice Education Project has been a foundational programme for civic education.
For nearly two decades, it has advocated the rule of law across schools and the city by organising mock trial competitions where students from various schools argue cases. I have always believed that the law is a set of procedures, but I realised after the court session that it is a vitalised process. In a typical tournament, rivalry can sometimes obstruct the learning experience, as some participants concern themselves only with outcomes. However, this friendly match allowed us to listen to and consider each other’s cases carefully. Our team approached the case with systematic logic and environmental evidence, whereas the other team brought focus to a crucial point we had overlooked. This neglected point unfortunately resulted in our loss. Nevertheless, it opened a window of opportunity for us, as we adjusted our scripts to address the overlooked issue. Although we lost, our team treasured the invaluable experience of debate and revised our scripts in preparation for the next game. ‘I would never have gained the communication skills and knowledge of the legal system if I had not joined the Mock Trial team,’ I thought as I left the campus of Lingnan Secondary School.