13 hours ago
Pupils from Glasgow school take part in mock trial
A total of 26 pupils from Woodfarm High School, in Glasgow, and St Andrew's Academy, in Paisley, participated in the immersive session at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS).
The session, held in the newly opened moot courtroom within the Paisley campus, was designed to give the youngsters a taste of what it's like to study law at university and practice it in real-world settings.
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Professor Kasim Sheikh, dean of the School of Business and Creative Industries, commended the pupils' enthusiasm and potential.
He said: "It was inspiring to see such insight, courage, and promise from these pupils as they stepped into the courtroom.
"Events like this are about more than just learning how the legal system works; they're about helping young people see themselves in professional roles and giving them the confidence to take that next step."
During the event, pupils were given roles as prosecutors, defence lawyers, witnesses, and jurors, and brought their arguments to life in UWS's purpose-built courtroom facility.
The trial was overseen by a judicial bench of two: Isabella Ennis KC of the Faculty of Advocates, and Jeremy O'Neill, procurator fiscal depute, who jointly presided in the role of sheriffs during the proceedings.
Both legal professionals gave a career and legal pathways talk after the verdict, designed to offer pupils insight into routes into the profession and life in the courtroom.
The event also introduced pupils to UWS's new LLB (Hons) Scots Law degree.
Developed in consultation with the Law Society of Scotland, this programme offers a professionally accredited pathway to becoming a solicitor.
It is designed to provide students with both the academic foundations and hands-on courtroom experience required for a successful career in the legal profession.
(Image: Supplied)
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Isabella Ennis KC said: "I was genuinely impressed by the level of preparation and passion these young people brought to the courtroom.
"From their structured legal arguments to their confident delivery, they demonstrated real potential.
"With this new moot courtroom and the new LLB in Scots Law, UWS has created a space that makes the study and practice of law accessible, inspiring, and inclusive."
Professor Sheikh added: "Through our new LLB in Scots Law launching in September and our investment in learning, UWS is opening doors and nurturing the legal professionals of tomorrow."
UWS has hosted annual mock court events since 2022, adapting and drawing inspiration from MiniTrial materials, with the generous support of the Faculty of Advocates.
