The Edinburgh Schools MiniTrials will see children from eight local secondary schools taking part in mock criminal trials, which will be presided over by members of the Faculty of Advocates.

Lord Mulholland, chair of the MiniTrials Steering Group, will welcome the S5 and S6 pupils to the event at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this Saturday 7 October.

Lord Mulholland said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the children to the annual inter-schools event. It is a chance for the pupils to play a part in a mock trial and learn how the justice system works. It gives also them an opportunity to analyse evidence and present a case, which improves their critical-thinking and public-speaking skills, and their confidence.

“The purpose of the MiniTrials initiative is to demystify the legal system and hopefully encourage pupils who might not otherwise have considered it to pursue a career in law. The success of this project in Edinburgh is something we are keen to replicate in other towns and cities across the country.”

The following schools are taking part in this year’s event: Craigmount High School; Firrhill High School; James Gillespie’s High School; Portobello High School; Queensferry High School; The Royal High School; St Augustine’s RC High School; and Tynecastle High School.

The MiniTrials project, which was launched in 2002 by Lord Kinclaven, sees secondary school pupils taking part in mock criminal and civil trials. The events are supported by legal volunteers from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, the Edinburgh Bar Association, COPFS and the Faculty of Advocates.

In addition to the annual, inter-schools event held at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, individual schools also hold internal mock trials, using guidance and materials available from the MiniTrials website.