Visit JCPCStudent Debate Days
The UK Supreme Court Debate Day 2025-26 is now open for applications. The programme provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop their critical thinking and public speaking skills. This will be of particular interest to those studying law, politics, history, or citizenship.
During the Debate Day series, 10 schools have the opportunity to debate a legal topic at the Supreme Court. Successful applicants have a tour of the building learning about the court’s role and its history before then splitting into their three teams (For, Against and Judges). The students are coached by professional lawyers who help them develop skills in argument, reasoning, and public speaking. The debates take place in one of the UKSC courtrooms where students will debate key legal issues drawn from an actual Supreme Court case. After the debate, there is a Q&A session, where students can ask questions about careers in law.
Teachers and students will be provided with the resource packs in advance to help prepare for the debate. This will ensure every student can fully engage with the debate especially since they will have prepared their key submissions before the day. The subject of the debate will be associated with a previous UKSC case, for example:
"Do stop and search powers strike a fair balance between the rights of the individual and the interests of society?"
There is also the option for a virtual session whereby students will instead be coached and make their presentations through Microsoft Teams.
The programme is open to accredited teaching institutions (schools or colleges) for Years 12 to 13 in England and Wales, Years 12 to 14 in Northern Ireland and S5 and S6 students in Scotland.
Priority will be given to applications from educational institutions who have not visited the Supreme Court before and those located at a considerable distance from the London area (Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales).
In England, schools from the following areas of multiple deprivations are encouraged to apply: Middlesborough; Liverpool; Knowsley; Kingston upon Hull; Manchester; Blackpool: Birmingham; Burnley; Blackburn with Darwen; Hartlepool.
Please apply via this link
Terms and conditions [PDF]
Applications open on the Wednesday 3rd September 2025
Applications close Friday 3rd October 2025 at 5pm. For more information, please contact us on our website via General Enquiries and Feedback - UK Supreme Court or call 0207 960 1900/1500.