Nairn Academy duo defend Dewar debate title in thrilling final

Nairn Academy pupils Charlie Holder and Fraser Cordiner have triumphed in the 2026 final of the Donald Dewar Memorial Debate Tournament, defending the title they won last year.

The annual Law Society of Scotland-sponsored contest concluded at Edinburgh Napier University on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, with the 64 schools who originally entered whittled down to four finalist teams.

Isabel Whitworth and Jamie Tortolano from Bearsden Academy were named runners up. The judging panel also praised the two other finalist teams, Broxburn Academy and Biggar High School.

The Nairn team debated Biggar in the evening’s second heat, arguing for the motion that ‘This house believes that all art should be made freely available and not subject to copyright laws’. Bearsden had previously opposed the same motion against Broxburn in the first heat.

The debaters developed a number of nuanced arguments. Opposition teams highlighted the central role of copyright in protecting the rights of artists, while those promoting the motion questioned whether it restricts rather than supporting artistic output.

Law Society of Scotland President Serena Sutherland presented the Nairn pupils with the £1,000 first prize cheque and trophy plate for their school. Glasgow Bar Association sponsored the £250 runners up prize, which was presented to the Bearsden team by GBA committee member Paul Sutherland.

Serena Sutherland, who attended alongside Law Society Chief Executive Ben Kemp, said: “Congratulations to Nairn Academy and the other finalist teams. As an Orkney resident, I’m especially pleased to see a team from the north of Scotland performing so strongly for a second successive year.

“It was such a privilege to be there to witness the impressive debating skills from all four finalists. This competition is part of the Law Society’s efforts to show young people that the legal profession’s brightest future stars can come from any part of Scotland and beyond.”

Speaking after their victory, Charlie Holder and Fraser Cordiner said: "The standard of debate was incredibly high and we are delighted to be taking home the trophy! It's great to have these tournaments that support schools like ours."

There was also a floor debate on the night, with Charlotte Thomson from Bearsden Academy winning a £50 book voucher.