The Law Society of Ireland congratulates a team of students from Loreto Secondary School Kilkenny who placed first in Europe at the Empire Mock Trial World Championships in Chicago this November. The team was sponsored by the Law Society and placed 13^th in the world at this competition. The competition took place over two days of mock trials on 9 and 10 November 2024.

Earlier this year, the Loreto Secondary School team competed in the Public Access to Law Mock Trial in the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, placing in the top four in the country and qualifying to compete in the Empire Mock Trial World Championships in Chicago. 

President of the Law Society Eamon Harrington, said, “The Law Society is proud to sponsor the team at Loreto Secondary School Kilkenny. The legal knowledge, ambition and commitment demonstrated by these students was exceptional. Being an active citizen is important for society, and we were delighted to support them as they travelled to Chicago to represent their school and Ireland on an international stage. We hope this experience will encourage these students to continue their legal learnings and consider a future career in law.” 

Speaking about her experience, Loreto Secondary School Kilkenny student, Lucy Byrne said, “We had a fantastic time in Chicago. It was the experience of a lifetime. As well as two full days of mock trials, we got to visit some of the sights of Chicago, including the John Hancock Observatory, Seer’s Tower, Cloud Gate and The Art Institute of Chicago. 

“We met people from all over the world and learned so much about law. It was an experience that the whole team and I will treasure and remember forever.

“We were accompanied by our amazing teachers Ms Kehoe, Ms Fitzpatrick, Ms McDonald and Ms Phelan. We would also like to thank the Law Society for their contribution as this trip would not have been possible without their support.”