Mock Trial as Method

Mock Trial as Method is a day-long workshop at Ibraaz devised by the n-Space fellows from Somerset House Studios, designed to extend to a wider public the questions asked at Trial Trial, their staged mock trial in April 2026. The Trial asked, when an AI system is designed and sold to a military, and that system foreseeably contributes to civilian deaths, does the company that built it bear legal responsibility? 

Participants will be shown an extract of the film from Trial Trial, followed by a discussion around evidence, modelled on the questions put to the jury at the original event. These ideas will be aggregated in a mapping session and presentation moderated by an invited legal expert.  

We are seeking applications for participation from people with a spectrum of legal experience; from jury duty, mock trial participation, law students, and none. An interest in legal frameworks around autonomous weapons and defence procurement is desired.

If you would like to participate, please email your application to workshops@ibraaz.org, explaining in no more than 200 words:  

+ why you are interested in participating in this workshop  
+ what prior legal experience you have, or what you can offer the group on the day  
+ what you would like to take away from participating in the workshop 

Please submit applications by 15th November 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by ––– November 2026. 

The findings and maps will be presented at the n-Space fellowship presentation in April at Somerset House Studios. Any input displayed by participants will be attributed appropriately. Lunch will be provided on the day.

Image credit: still from Trial Trial, 2026.