Stephanie Watson

Solicitor Stephanie Watson has been appointed to the newly-created post of secretary, to co-ordinate the annual Edinburgh schools event and the development of inter-schools events in cities and towns across Scotland.

Ms Watson, a personal injury lawyer at Thorntons Law LLP in Edinburgh, will work alongside Steering Group members from the Faculty of Advocates, Law Society of Scotland and Crown Office to ensure continued support for the annual MiniTrial event at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, and to publicise MiniTrials to schools throughout Scotland more widely.

The MiniTrials Steering Group has also appointed Baktosch Gillan, a commercial litigation solicitor at Thorntons Law LLP, to develop and manage its social media presence, to promote MiniTrials to a wider audience with a view to increasing interest and engagement among lawyers, teachers and pupils.

The MiniTrials initiative, which was launched in 2002 by Lord Kinclaven – then Sandy Wylie QC – to promote legal education in schools, sees secondary school pupils taking part in mock criminal and civil trials, using guidance and materials available from the MiniTrials website. The mock trials provide an interactive way for pupils to learn about the Scottish legal system, as well as nurturing interest in building careers in the legal profession.

Advocate Michael Upton, co-ordinator, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephanie and Baktosch to their new roles with the obvious enthusiasm and talents they bring to the project. If you are a lawyer, a teacher, a pupil or a parent and would like to know more, feel free to get in touch through the MiniTrials website.”

For some 20 years, thousands of youngsters have participated in the events, which have become a staple of school education programmes. An annual event is held at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, which involves a rotation of eight participating schools’ pupils and supervising staff, along with legal volunteers from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, the Edinburgh Bar Association, the COPFS and the Faculty of Advocates. Individual schools also hold internal MiniTrials events.

The MiniTrials Steering Group was formed in 2019, following the retirement of Lord Kinclaven. Its chairman is Lord Mulholland. It comprises representatives of Edinburgh schools, Edinburgh defence agents, the COPFS, the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates. The group’s remit is twofold: to ensure continued support for the annual Edinburgh event, and the promotion of MiniTrials to a wider audience by means of the website and otherwise.