Write a New Ending to Your Season
Not ready for your mock trial season to be over? We know the feeling… and think we can help.
Leveraging the power of our PROcess software, we’re excited to welcome you to the Spring Leagues: featuring two online competitions for teams of different experience levels. Keep reading to learn more!
May 16-17 & May 30-31 (prelims)
June 6-7 (playoffs)
TWO LEAGUES.
GLOBAL STAGE.
ONLINE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.
TWO LEAGUES. GLOBAL STAGE. ONLINE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.
The Spring Leagues are BACK
We want any high school mock trial team that is interested in competing against schools from outside of their state to have the opportunity to do so.
Historically, only one school that wins their statewide competition advances to Nationals, and only schools that receive financial support from their communities are able to travel to fall competitions, like ours or the Yale Invitational.
So we created the Spring Leagues: two online competitions, organized by experience level, that are available to any school from across the globe at little to no cost.
The Leagues
Any school that has competed in, at least, one mock trial competition or invitational during the 2025-2026 season is eligible to compete in the Sapphire League;
Includes 4 rounds of guaranteed competition, plus a Championship Round for the top two teams.
The Sapphire League
Automatically qualify if you've placed in the top 5 of your state's mock trial competition or in a 2025 Empire competition*;
Considered for admission if you've placed 6th through 10th in your state's mock trial competition or at a 2025 Empire competition;
Includes 4 rounds of guaranteed competition, plus a series of single elimination rounds for the top 8 teams that advance.
The Premier League
*Note: The competition is not designed for teams that qualify for the NHSMTC because they already have a spring competition from which to enjoy and learn.
The Schedule
Registration Deposit
$100
All schools must pay a $100 deposit at the time of submitting their Spring Leagues registration form. If you qualify for free or reduced admission, the $100 hold will be reimbursed once your team competes in all four preliminary trials. For all other teams, the $100 deposit goes towards the total $325 admission cost.
Admission Fee
$0
for
Title I Schools
$225
for
All Other Schools
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Each registration fee includes admission to a League, its Opening and Closing Ceremony, and all trials.
Other items, such as t-shirts or Empire swag, will be available for purchase online.
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Individual must be graduated from high school, have a minimum of two years of coaching or competition experience, and be willing to score at least two rounds of competition. The organization reserves the right to reject a judge it deems unqualified. One discount per team, though we encourage you to invite as many qualified individuals as you know to volunteer!
Ready to join the fun?
The Case
Released early April
Original and topical case prepared just for the Spring League.
Case size and components will vary by League.
Sapphire: 3 witness affidavits, must call all 3. Expect to offer fewer exhibits.
Premier: 4 witness affidavits, must call 3 out of 4.
No Guest Witness or Pre-Trial Oral Argument component
But don’t worry–these will be back for the regular season this Fall.
Case Preview
How It’ll Run
Spring Leagues will operate like a typical Empire Online competition using our PROcess software to enter Zoom courtrooms and view scores;
Scores and written feedback will be released immediately after the conclusion of the round;
Each courtroom is its own Zoom conference room;
Have an Empire staff member assigned to your courtroom, who you can message at any time if a problem arises.
A sneak peek of PROcess in action.
Rules & Policies
2025 in Review
SPRING LEAGUES CHAMPION
Ann Arbor Community High
Sapphire League
51 teams
21 states
3 countries
Premier League
20 teams
11 states
3 countries