Local Pupils go to Trial
26th November 2007
East Ayrshire MiniTrials kicked off once again on Saturday 24th November with local pupils from across East Ayrshire taking part in the mock criminal trials in the Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.
The yearly event, hosted by Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP, Des Browne, had pupils from Cumnock, Auchinleck, Loudoun, Kilmarnock, Grange, St. Joseph’s, Stewarton and Greenwood Academies prosecuting and defending drugs and road traffic criminal trials. The pupils assumed the roles of the major participants - lawyers, court officials, witnesses and jurors - convened the court, heard the evidence and returned their verdicts.
Once again, the trials were presided over by three of the sitting Sheriffs at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court as well as the Procurator Fiscal Service and local solicitors. This year’s event was attended once again by Cathy Jamieson MSP as well as 15 pupils visiting from Singapore.
This is the sixth year that the event has been hosted by Des Browne MP, previously an Advocate himself.
Des Browne MP said:
“This is a great opportunity for pupils to experience first hand how the law and the Scottish Court system works. Every year, I am impressed by our young peoples’ high standard of performance. It is clear to see that they have put in a lot of hard work and effort into preparing for the event.
I am very grateful for the commitment and time given by the Faculty of Advocates, local solicitors, the Fiscal’s service, Strathclyde Police and the staff of Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.
All of these people have very busy schedules, and their continuing commitment to this project has been remarkable.
Once again the event turned out to be an extremely enjoyable and informative day for pupils and adults alike.”
Cathy Jamieson MSP said:
"I was delighted to be able to meet up with the pupils from Auchinleck Academy and Cumnock Academy who took part in the event and who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the occasion. I'm sure they learned a lot about how our courts and legal system operates."
