SIX years ago the Magistrates' Association launched a project to educate and inform local school students about the work of the lay magistracy.

Since that time about 20 JPs on the Vale Royal bench have been working very actively in a number of schools in the area, usually in co-operation with PSE (Personal and Social Education) teachers.

A series of four sessions are held with each school starting with a full introduction to the work of the local courts. After this the class visits the court in Northwich to see a full morning court in action. The students have a full tour of the building including the cells, learn of the variety of cases which are dealt with in their local court and see all the contributors to 'local justice' in action - the prosecutor, the defence solicitors, the defendants, the justices, probation and the press.

After this the next session in the school gives the students a chance to run their own mock trial and learn about sentencing.

In the Autumn term there are already five schools - Sir John Deane's, Woodford Lodge, Helsby High, St Nicholas' and the Grange who have booked the full programme involving no less than 25 sessions for the local bench.

With an even greater emphasis on citizenship planned in the school curriculum, how sad it will be if there is no local court for the young members of our community to visit. Schools are unlikely to be able to afford the time or the cost of going to Chester or Crewe.

The magistrates involved thoroughly enjoy this aspect of their work, meeting local children and keeping in touch with the wider community, and all unpaid of course. Who can tell how many will have been inspired, like your correspondent last week, to go on to seek a career in the law.

PATSY EVANS

Cheshire Magistrates' Association Representative.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.