Seven students from a West Norfolk school may face trial next month in New York.

Eastern Daily Press: Students at Springwood School are preparing for a mock trial competition in New York. Pictured are (from left) Sam Mount, Abi Peters, Izzie Russen, Rachel Ampomah, Adam White and Elliot Simpson. Picture: Ian BurtStudents at Springwood School are preparing for a mock trial competition in New York. Pictured are (from left) Sam Mount, Abi Peters, Izzie Russen, Rachel Ampomah, Adam White and Elliot Simpson. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

But they will be acting as prosecutors, defenders and witnesses for a mock trial competition in the Empire Mock Trial world championships.

Students from Springwood High School sixth form, in King's Lynn, are hoping to gain a second big win after competing last year and coming fourth in the world.

They are the only British school to make the top ten list against 43 other school teams from around the world.

The Springwood mock trial team was formed four years ago and has since taken part in both national and international competitions.

Eastern Daily Press: Students at Springwood School are preparing for a mock trial competition in New York. Pictured are (from left) Sam Mount, Rachel Ampomah, Izzie Russen, The High Sheriff of Norfolk James Bagge, Abi Peters, Adam White and Elliot Simpson. Picture: Ian BurtStudents at Springwood School are preparing for a mock trial competition in New York. Pictured are (from left) Sam Mount, Rachel Ampomah, Izzie Russen, The High Sheriff of Norfolk James Bagge, Abi Peters, Adam White and Elliot Simpson. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Its current members are Sam Mount, 18, Abbi Peters, 17, Rachel Ampomah, 16, Izzie Russen, 16, Adam White, 16, Elliot Simpson, 17, and Sophie Ward, 16.

On their first international competition, Sophie Ward said: 'It was amazing, the whole experience was incredible. We got to do so many things but the best part was the competition.'

The team spent long hours in a district court in Brooklyn over the two days of the competition, presenting their cases to judges and winning seven rounds in total.

'When we went, we expected to come 40th, we are quite a strong team but we have never practised American law before,' Miss Ward added. 'The experience was so amazing we jumped at the chance to do it again. Even if we do not come higher than fourth we want to go and represent the UK.'

The team have been rehearsing ahead of the championships in King's Lynn crown court and have been receiving feedback from Judge Graham Boal.

In order for the team to be able to compete in New York on November 16 - 20, they are hoping to gain as many sponsors to raise £10,000 to cover the expenses.

For sponsorship queries, contact the team on Twitter @shs_MockTrials or email team leader and Springwood teacher Hayley Roberts on h.roberts@springwoodhighschool.co.uk.

The team would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: Norton Rose Fulbright, Fraser Dawbarns, Consent Solutions, Lady Leicester of Holkham, Ince and Co, CMS London, Squire Potten Boggs, Taylor Vinters, Simmons and Simmons, King's Lynn Rotary Club, Metcalfe Copeman & Pettefar, Savills, IBA Wealth Management and Fisher Jones Greenwood.

Mock trial

The team have been practicing the mock civil case of a fictional American teenager, Meric Calief, in King's Lynn Crown Court.

Mr Calief, 18, took his own life 10 weeks after being released from the fictional Powers Prison.

Plaintiffs Harry Calief (Meric's father played by Sam Mount) and former inmate Frank Lynn have brought a civil lawsuit against the prison for negligence.

In his opening speech, team prosecutor Elliot Simpson told jury members and Judge Graham Boal that Powers Prison showed a 'deliberate indifference to Meric Calief's physical safety.'

The court heard how Mr Calief was strip searched for drugs by correctional officer Meg James using 'malicious and sadistic excessive force.'

Witnesses in the case include Mr Calief's psychiatrist Dr Hakka Singh (Adam White) and prison gang member Patten Schrier (Sam Mount).

The trial continues... Hopefully, in the Empire Mock Trials world championships in New York.