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.
Read more: 'Do not be a hero': Armed robber raids Glasgow pharmacy for methadone and Valium
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)
Read more: Major new housing development in Glasgow district put on the market
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
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. Read more: 'Do not be a hero': Armed robber raids Glasgow pharmacy for methadone and Valium 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) Read more: Major new housing development in Glasgow district put on the market 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.
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
'Do not be a hero': Armed robber raids Glasgow pharmacy
Anthony Kinnon carried out an armed robbery at the Willis Pharmacy in Glasgow's Knightswood Shopping Centre on September 26 2023. The 62-year-old went behind the counter and told staff: "I am not going to hurt you. "Do not be a hero. Give me the methadone and the Valium." After then leaving the chemist, Kinnon was later traced having taken most of the pills he had been given during the raid. He recently pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and robbery at the High Court in Glasgow. Prosecutor David McDonald told the hearing how Kinnon already had a long criminal record including two convictions for similar offences. Kinnon's lawyer Allan MacLeod went on to give judge Lord Cubie further background about Kinnon. The defence advocate said: "He is man who has spent a total of 18 years of his life in jail - 13 years of that in solitary confinement. "He has been in every prison establishment in the country. READ NEXT: Former Catholic priest admits repeated abuse of boy more than 40 years ago READ NEXT: Serious organised crime unit cop sentenced for sexually assaulting colleagues on duty "He believes that if he is returned to jail, he will not leave." Regarding the robbery, Mr MacLeod said Kinnon had "not been thinking clearly at the time" and had wanted pills with a plan to take his own life. The court was told Kinnon had not intended to use the blade - but Lord Cubie commented staff would not have known that. Kinnon - who had latterly been staying at homeless accommodation in the city centre - had been on bail prior to the hearing. Mr MacLeod made a motion for him not to be locked up pending pre-sentencing reports being completed. He stated to the judge: "I am asking you to take a chance on him." But, Lord Cubie remanded him in custody as the case was adjourned until July 8 in Edinburgh.
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Explosive detail that could tie Costa Del Sol assassination to Daniel clan amid fears of deadly reprisals on streets
A CAPTURED phone holds the key to proving the assassination in Spain of two Scots crime figures is linked to their Daniel gang rivals, sources claim. Cops seized the mobile device from an alleged hitman suspected of shooting dead Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, in a Costa del Sol boozer. 8 Ross Monaghan was shot dead seconds after pal Eddie Lyons Jnr on May 31. Credit: The Scottish Sun 8 Eddie Lyons Jnr died after watching the Champions League final in a boozer. 8 Monaghans bar in Fuengirola where the two Lyons kingpins were killed. 8 Spanish police chief Pedro Agudo Novo spoke at a press conference this week. Insiders say it contains data allegedly linking Michael Riley, 44, to hoods who Spanish detectives reckon are behind the double murder plot. We told how Monaghan and Lyons were gunned down after watching the Champions League Final on TV at Monaghan's Irish Bar in Fuengirola. Now crime-fighters are at odds over who ordered the hit — with Scots detectives insisting there is 'no intelligence' linking the slayings to the gangland turf war here despite Spanish cops' claims. Riley faces an extradition hearing in London today which could see him sent to Spain to face allegations he was involved in the double murder. Monaghan's grieving family insisted their Glasgow enemies were not to blame for the hit. It is now believed they may have got this info from cops in Scotland who were unaware of the phone recovered when Riley was arrest on an international warrant in Liverpool last Friday. A source said: 'A phone in a crime like this will be gold-dust to investigators. 'It's said to contain info linking the murders back to Scotland - and to the wider Daniel crime organisation. 'It appears Police Scotland weren't made aware of this discovery and are out the loop. It's not a good look for them. 'That's why there's this bizarre situation where cops here are saying it's not linked to the Daniels and Lyons war - but police in Spain are adamant it is.' Horror moment Scots gangster Ross Monaghan is shot dead by hitman at Spanish pub as staff & punters flee in terror A relative of murdered Monaghan previously said: 'The one thing people need to know is the Daniels are not behind this.' And Police Scotland this week again insisted the clan had no link to the slayings. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: 'We're not aware of any current evidence which suggests the deaths of these two men are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge.' But that was contradicted by cops in Malaga who alleged on Thursday that the suspect was a 'member of the Daniel gang'. 8 CCTV footage of the incident was broadcast on Spanish TV 8 Associates of Mark Richardson, above, have been targeted by underworld rivals Credit: The Scottish Sun 8 Steven 'Bonzo' Daniel and family members have been targeted by gang thugs Credit: Spindrift 8 Former Union Bear Ross 'Miami' McGill is said to have ordered a wave of attacks Associates of the Daniels and caged cocaine boss Mark Richardson have been targeted by hoods run by Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill, 31. He blames Richardson lackeys for conning him by using fake notes in a £500,000 cocaine deal. An underworld source backed the Spanish police conclusions over who was behind the Monaghan's Bar massacre. And he warned the bloodshed is certain to continue as Scotland's warring gangs seek payback. The carnage began in March amid claims Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill, 31, sought revenge after blaming Richardson associates for using fake notes in a dodgy £500,000 cocaine deal. Our insider said: 'This war is going to get worse because everyone is convinced the Daniel mob sent the Liverpudlian hitman. 'He's an associate linked to a mob who have supplied Daniels and Mark Richardson with drugs and armaments. 'The Daniels have worked with Liverpool for years. The Lyons and their Irish Kinahan associates are reeling from this.' 'It's only a matter of time before there is more bloodshed.' The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: 'We will offer support to Police Scotland and provide any guidance that may be required.'
