South Ayrshire Council News

Representatives from those who took part in or organised the MiniTrials
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A group of more than 110 secondary school students gave up their free time on a Saturday to take part in the South Ayrshire MiniTrials 2008 and learn more about how the Scottish legal system operates.

Participating students from Kyle Academy, Carrick Academy, Queen Margaret Academy, Girvan Academy, Ayr Academy, Belmont Academy, Marr College and Prestwick Academy all

MiniTrials are simulated court cases, conducted by secondary school students, who take part in reconstructions of criminal jury trials. The scenarios for the MiniTrials were prepared by Scottish lawyers and based on what actually happens in a Scottish Sheriff Court.

After watching a demonstration by the professionals of how a court should operate all the students got a chance to take part in MiniTrials, one was an assault case and the other a drugs case.

The students convened the courts, heard the evidence and returned their own verdicts, with the help of lawyers from the Faculty of Advocates, the Ayr Faculty of Solicitors and the Procurator Fiscal Service who gave up their time to take part in the day.

Councillor Hywel Davies, the Council's Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity saw the students taking part in the MiniTrials, he said: "Taking part in the MiniTrials gave students the chance to undertake various roles within a courtroom and gain a real insight into the workings of a court.

"Being in a real court, working with professionals, gave the students the opportunity to see how the legal system really works. I am sure that this event will also have helped the students to develop their communication and public speaking skills.

"Some of these students will go on to become lawyers or take up others positions within the court system. However, whatever career path they choose the MiniTrials experience will have made them very aware of the Scottish legal system and how it operates."

This is the fourth year that senior pupils from South Ayrshire secondary schools have participated in this innovative programme which is supported by Scottish Lawyers, The Faculty of Advocates, The Law Society of Scotland, the Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet, and South Ayrshire Council.

The students were all given a tour of Ayr Sheriff Court which gave them a rare opportunity to see the cells and face the reality of what it would be like to be there waiting to go into court.