The South Carolina Bar Law Related Education (LRE) invites public, private, home schools and co-ops throughout the state to participate in our middle and high school Mock Trial programs. Each participating school enters a team comprised of at least 6 students sponsored by a teacher coach and preferably assisted by an attorney coach. The goals of Mock Trial are to educate students about the American judicial system, the fundamentals of litigation, increase cooperation, respect, support between the community and the legal profession. Through participation in Mock Trial, students sharpen their basic skills of listening, public speaking, writing, reading and analyzing. The goal is not to win for the sake of winning, but to learn and practice the meaning of good citizenship in a democracy though participation in our legal system. Mock Trial is correlated to South Carolina’s language arts and social studies standards.
REGIONALS REGISTRATION FEE: The $225 registration fee can be submitted by check, credit card or purchase order. Checks should be made payable to SC Bar LRE. If paying by credit card, payment must be made online. All registration fees are due by the stated deadline for the team to compete in the regional competitions. Registration fees are non-refundable.
STATE REGISTRATION FEE: A separate registration fee of $150 will be due two days prior to the state competition for teams advancing to the state competition.
MATERIALS: Competition rules and modified rules of evidence are released on the SC Bar’s website no later than the first business day in August. MSMT Case materials are released online by 5 p.m. on August 14 and HSMT released September 15.
CASE AND COMPETITION QUESTIONS: The previous Mock Trial Discussion Forum has been replaced with a Jotform for case question submissions. The Jotform link is available on each of the respective Mock Trial pages. Each time questions are answered, they will be posted to the webpage with the Jotform link. This simplifies the process of asking questions, and no longer requires login credentials.
ATTORNEY COACHES: Teams are encouraged to have an attorney coach assist with the mechanics of a trial and provide a better understanding of the law and its application. Schools may look to an attorney who coached a previous year, is a PTA member, or works within the community. If an attorney coach cannot be obtained through these options, the SC Bar can assist with finding one for your team, but this does not guarantee one can be secured. Attorney coaches receive pro bono credit for the hours they volunteer.
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS: LRE presents annual awards to recognize supporters of LRE programs. Teachers are eligible for LRE Teacher of the Year. Individuals such as SROs, attorney volunteers are eligible for LRE Lawyer of the Year. Administrators and non-teachers are eligible for LRE Citizen of the Year. High School Mock Trial seniors with at least 2 years experience may apply for $1000 scholarships to apply toward higher education. Applications and nomination forms for these awards are available online and due March 20, 2027.
COURTROOM ARTISTS AND JOURNALISTS (High School Only):
Courtroom artist and journalist competitions have been incorporated into the Mock Trial program. Participating artists and journalists are subject to all Mock Trial rules, restrictions and eligibility requirements. They compete solely on their own efforts and are not considered part of a school’s competing Mock Trial team. See Competition Handbook for details.
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COMPETITION: In the event it becomes necessary for a team to withdraw from the competition, the team must inform the LRE director immediately. A team withdrawal form signed by both the lead teacher coach and school principal must be submitted prior to the drop deadline. Absent extenuating circumstances, failure to appear at a competition, or withdrawal after the drop deadline subjects that team to a one-year suspension from the competition.
Middle School Registration:
Registration through September 18 | $225
Late registration September 21 | $275 ($225 + $50 late fee)
High School Registration:
Registration through October 30, 2026 | $225
Late registration October 31 - November 20 | $275 ($225 + $50 late fee)
Artist/Journalist Registration January 15, 2027
Competition Dates:
Middle School Mock Trial
Regionals - November 14, 2026
State - December 4 & 5, 2026
High School Mock Trial
Regionals - February 27, 2027
State - March 12 & 13, 2027
Nationals - St. Louis, Missouri - May 13-15, 2027