International Event

When you capture the Empire World Championship, you are representing the best mock trial students from across the globe. Over the past five years, Empire Mock Trial has welcomed students from six countries: Australia, Canada, South Korea, the United Kingdom — and in 2009 our World Champions were from Ireland.

Preparing the college-level Empire case is a difficult task for American students, and the international schools have an added challenge: learning the American legal system. During the summer months, EMTA staff holds videoconferences with the international schools to teach them the Federal Rules of Evidence, case law, objections, and court room etiquette.

Every international Empire school represents the best from their country, qualifying for the Empire after placing in the top 5 of their nation’s mock trial competition.

Though they prepare the most and travel the furthest, the international schools are consistently the life and energy of the tournament when they arrive in New York City. Exchanging cultural items at the pin exchange, going head-to-head with American schools in the courtroom, and dancing with students from different continents on the cruise all add up the unique multicultural, educational, and memorable weekend that is the Empire City Invitational.

At the end of the weekend, Empire students leave New York City with new experiences, memories, and friends from all over the world.