Bail Application Competition 2025
Online. 13th December 2025. 9am to 4pm.
Step into the shoes of a courtroom advocate in this realistic, fun, competition.
In each round, you'll make a 5 minute oral submission - just like a barrister or solicitor - asking the court to grant bail for your client.
No drafting. No research. Just you, your voice, and your ability to persuade.
Sponsored by BPP
Win great prizes
Champion Prize: iPad
Runner-Up Prize: £100 Voucher
Plus: bragging rights, LinkedIn content, and serious CV sparkle.
Secure your place now - space are limited!
Buy your ticket
Who can enter
This competition is open to anyone looking to develop their advocacy skills, including:
Undergraduate law and non-law students
Those yet to start their legal studies
Masters, BPTC & LPC/SQE students & graduates
GDL students and graduates
Others at the discretion of the organisers - please contact us if you are interested
You represent yourself, not your university – so no team selection politics, just pure advocacy.
READY TO GIVE it a go?
Buy your ticket now!
The Format
Bail Application: a submission made in court by an advocate on behalf of a defendant, requesting their release on bail while awaiting trial.
Format: The single day competition will feature 200 competitors in total. There is a time limit of 5 minutes for presentation of the bail application. There will be 3 rounds during the course of the day. A detailed breakdown of the competition format can be found below in the Frequently asked questions.
Solo Entry: No partner, no preparation days – just overnight brief reading.
Judged by real lawyers: Barristers, solicitors, and academics assess performance.
Case bundle released by Friday 12th December @ 6:00pm – just like real life.
Why should you take part?
This competition will give you the opportunity to compete against others solely as an individual and be judged purely on your skills as an advocate.
So sign up and give yourself the opportunity to really set yourself apart by putting this unique experience on your CV.
STILL NOT SURE?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can take part?
The competition is open to law and non-law students, graduates, GDL, LPC/SQE and BPTC students, as well as those pursuing other legal pathways. Entry is on an individual basis, and you do not represent a university, meaning multiple students from the same institution can participate.
How much preparation is required?
Minimal preparation is needed. You’ll receive the full bundle of case materials by 6:00 PM on Friday 12th December 2025 — the night before the competition. This simulates real legal practice where briefs often arrive late. No research or drafting is required; you’ll only be assessed on your oral advocacy.
What is the format of the competition?
The target size for the competition is 200 participants. Everyone that signs up will take part in the competition.
The 200 competitors will be split into 20 groups of 10. Each group will have their own judge(s). One by one, each competitor in a group will perform the bail application in front of the judge(s). The judge(s) will determine the winner of the group and that individual will go through to Round 2, which will take place in the afternoon.
In Round 2, the 20 competitors that progressed will be split into 5 groups of 4. One by one, they will perform the bail application in front of their judge(s). The judge(s) from each group will decide the winner from that group.
The 5 winners of the groups will then present one last time to the full panel of judges.
The winner and runner up will then be decided by the panel.
What are the prizes?
🏆 Winner: Apple iPad
🥈 Runner-up: £100 voucher
Both finalists will also receive recognition from a panel of practising legal professionals, with opportunities to enhance their CVs and networking profiles.
How much does it cost to enter?
The entry fee is £36.00. Please note this fee is non-refundable, regardless of attendance or outcome.
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