1
Case release & Preparation
Teams receive the case file: facts, witness statements and evidence, 4 weeks before the competition weekend.
HYMT
Helsinki Youth Mock Trial
HYMT is our flagship annual competition. Student teams argue the same case as both prosecution and defence, judged by legal professionals in a simulation courtroom.
Curious who is behind the next edition? Meet the 2027 organising team.
What it is
One case, two sides, one weekend
Teams of five students take on the roles of defence and prosecution attorneys in a two‑day immersive courtroom simulation, focused on a realistic criminal case. HYMT provides students with hands‑on experience in legal reasoning, structured argumentation, public speaking, and teamwork.
HYMT is open to individuals from any high school. Working languages is English.
Applications open in November 2026.
- 5
- Students per team
- 2
- Rounds of pleadings
- 4 weeks
- Preparation with a team
- 100
- Participants chosen
How it runs
Competition format
2
Preparation with team
Participants are divided into teams of 5, and within decide each members part in the pleading. Together they are expected to examine & formulate their arguments prior to the weekend.
3
Day 1: Lecture
First day is dedicated to 2 informational lecture followed by a Q&A, that helps teams finalize their arguments and prepare for Day 2.
4
Day 2: Trial
All teams plead once as prosecution, and once as defense, in front of a panel of 3 judges. Winning teams and highest individual scorers are decided by a the 2 rounds combined points.
Judging
What the judges score
- Legal reasoning
- Is the argument grounded in the case file and applicable law?
- Presentation Skills
- E.g. Articulation, speed, eye contact, tone, body language and ability to answer questions and continue the pleading smoothly
- Preparedness
- How well the participant knows the facts of the case, the level of additional research utilized, ability to answer questions and use of correct terminology
- Structure of the pleading
- is the pleading logical, clear and concise? Is the pleading easy to follow? Is there an introduction/conclusion? Does the participant have good time management?