Schools Mace – Grand Final

Feb 6, 2023

“The ability to analyse a case, craft a persuasive argument and then present it in public with passion and eloquence is a great life skill for young people to develop. Faculty is delighted to support Young Speakers Scotland in their work to bring debating and public speaking to schools across the country in a way which strongly promotes inclusion and diversity. We believe that hosting this debating competition, here in the Court of Session, is a fantastic way for us to engage with, and hopefully inspire, the next generation of advocates.”- Barney Ross, Clerk of the Faculty of Advocates.

 

On Saturday 4th February 2023, Young Speakers Scotland held the final of the Schools Mace Competition at the Faculty of Advocates, in Edinburgh. This is the longest-running schools debating competition in Scotland and one of the most prestigious events in the annual debating calendar.

Debaters from Banchory Academy taking part in the semi-final.

Competing in the semi-finals were teams from Balfron High School, Banchory Academy, Broxburn Academy, Craigmount High School, St Columba’s School, George Heriot’s and the High School of Glasgow. Of these, three progressed to the Grand Finals: Broxburn Academy, St Columba’s School and the High School of Glasgow.

The winners and runners-up of the Schools Mace 2022/2023.

After a closely-fought, high quality final the debate was awarded to the team from Broxburn Academy. The runners-up were the debaters from St Columba’s School. Both teams impressed chair judge Lady Haldane with their sophisticated arguments about generative AI- a very complex topic- and their flair for speaking.

After several years of online debating it was wonderful to use The Faculty of Advocates as our venue. Participants also got the chance to watch a demonstration of a plea in mitigation in court; an exciting opportunity for those considering pursuing a career in law.

Lady Haldane, the chair judge of our Grand Final, announcing the result.

Thank you to everyone who made our Mace Grand Final possible: teachers, volunteers, the Faculty of Advocates and, of course, the debaters themselves!

The winning team, Emma Bell and Emma Crow from Broxburn Academy.

Participants taking part in the presentation from the Faculty of Advocates.