Proud day at the Palace for MiniTrials founder

 

Lord Kinclaven, the founder of the Faculty’s MiniTrials, has received an OBE at an investiture ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

The award, for “Services to the Scottish Legal System in Schools”, was announced in the New Year Honours.

Lord Kinclaven (Sandy Wylie, QC) was installed as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Princess Anne.

He said: "It was a great honour to receive this award from The Princess Royal.  It is dedicated to all those who have helped to promote an understanding of our legal system through MiniTrials."

For 15 years, pupils from throughout Scotland have learned about the legal system by taking part in MiniTrials in sheriff courts.

Helped by volunteer lawyers and working from information packs compiled by the Faculty, pupils act out two jury trials – an assault case and a drugs case.

They convene the court, prosecute and defend the accused, and deliver a verdict, under the watchful eye of a professional lawyer who takes the role of the sheriff.