Justice programme for young people launched
A new education programme to help young people better understand the justice system and the role they might play in it has been launched.
The London Justice Programme is run by the National Centre for Citizenship and the Law (NCCL).
It tries to encourage adults working in the justice system to transfer their knowledge and experience to young people - inspiring the next generation of lawyers and judges
It also aims to reduce youth offending by showing young people the consequences of their actions once they enter the justice system.
The programme, which was first piloted last year, will be based at the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ) and Supreme Court.
It will allow students from around 50 participating schools and colleges to get involved in activities at the RCJ. ranging from debates at the Supreme Court around points of law such as cultural and religious dress, to facilitated mock trials, involving both the criminal and civil law.
A fundraising event to support the programme was held at the RCJ last month, and was welcomed by first President of The Supreme Court Lord Phillips and Lord Neuberger, the second most senior judge in England and Wales.
For the past 15 years NCCL has been providing education programmes at the Galleries of Justice Museum in the former Shire Hall, Nottingham with over 150,000 children taking part.