Battle of the Barristers is a facilitated, courtroom-style decision simulation built around a real criminal case.

Participants work in opposing teams to analyse evidence, challenge narratives and argue their position before a verdict is reached. Because the case is real and removed from participants’ own organisation, it creates a rare environment where challenge is robust, assumptions are surfaced and decisions are defended honestly.

The simulation is followed by a structured, facilitated decision-making analysis session.

This final hour draws out how participants approached evidence, handled challenge, responded to uncertainty and justified their decisions — and then translates those behaviours into organisational contexts such as governance, leadership and risk.

The session does not reference real incidents or individuals. Instead, it helps groups examine the quality of their decision-making processes in a safe, non-defensive way.

Together, the simulation and analysis form a complete experience: insight, reflection and practical relevance — without compromising psychological safety.

Boards and trustees:

Boards are expected to make sound decisions in conditions of shared accountability, incomplete information and increasing scrutiny.

Battle of the Barristers places trustees and board members inside a real criminal case where decisions must be argued, defended and justified. The included decision-making analysis session then helps boards examine how those same behaviours influence real boardroom decisions.

The focus is not on the verdict, but on the process: how challenge is handled, how assumptions are tested, and how confidence or hesitation shapes outcomes.

Boards leave with clearer insight into their collective decision-making, and greater confidence that their processes are robust, not just well-intentioned.

For schools and governing bodies:

Schools operate in environments where decisions are often scrutinised in hindsight, long after pressure, pace and competing priorities have shaped what was possible at the time.

Battle of the Barristers gives school leaders and governors the opportunity to experience decision-making under pressure using a real criminal case, rather than a hypothetical or internal scenario.

During the simulation, participants practise weighing evidence, challenging assumptions and navigating uncertainty. The included analysis session then supports leaders and governors to reflect on how those same patterns appear in school governance — particularly around challenge, documentation and shared accountability.

This strengthens decision-making culture without exposing the school to risk, and without turning the session into a compliance exercise.

We provide all materials and facilitate each Battle of the Barristers session. If your organisation has a venue, we can use it; if not, we will work with you to find a suitable solution.

Each session, whether it’s one of our half-day or full-day experiences, has a set minimum price and maximum attendee numbers.

The session, overall takes between three to four hours, and can be held on a morning or afternoon when it’s convenient for you.

It can also be run as a fundraiser event or a team-building away day, evenings and weekends included.