Young Citizens is supporting teachers and legal professionals to introduce the law and justice system to thousands of children and young people across England and Wales.
Taking place throughout February, our campaign The Big Legal Lesson will provide schools with free resources to introduce the law, rights and responsibilities in classrooms. Teachers can access resource packs with lesson plans suitable for ages 5 to 18, exploring what the law is, who has the power to change the law, and how these changes affect our daily lives.
Backed by international law firm Mishcon de Reya and The Law Society of England and Wales, the initiative is also calling on legal professionals and law students to volunteer to deliver sessions about the law in local primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.
The campaign comes after the Attorney General, Lord Richard Hermer, commended the work of Young Citizens and called on schools to deliver more citizenship education in his annual speech on the rule of law last year.
Janet Madden, Principal of Stokesley Primary Academy, North Yorkshire, said: “We want our children to be good citizens. It is important for us that they understand why we have rules and how to abide by them so that everyone is respected and safe. We wanted our children to understand the Rule of Law in context, but this can be difficult to achieve given the complexities of the law. To be provided with resources that are accessible online made this achievable.”
Ashley Hodges, Chief Executive of Young Citizens, said: “We believe legal literacy supports thriving democracies, community cohesion and active citizenship. All children and young people should learn about their rights, responsibilities and the rule of law in the classroom – it shouldn’t be left to chance. With the support of Mishcon de Reya and The Law Society, we know the sixth edition of The Big Legal Lesson will help educators introduce the law and concepts of justice to many more pupils this year.”
Samantha Kakati, Partner at Mishcon de Reya, said: “Legal education in classrooms promotes access to justice while fostering a more diverse sector. By giving children and young people an early grounding in legal concepts, we can unlock opportunity and drive a level playing field for all. That is why we are so proud to back The Big Legal Lesson once again in 2025.”
Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “The Big Legal Lesson helps pupils and children of all ages to understand how the justice system works and how it affects them. Encouraging young learners to understand their legal rights and responsibilities is extremely important, as it allows them to be an active citizen of their community and have the power to make their own informed decisions. The Law Society is proud to support the Big Legal Lesson, which continues to inspire young people, teachers and legal professionals.”
- Schools can download the resources here.
- Legal professionals and law students can register to volunteer here.
About The Law Society of England and Wales
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law. Press office contact: Kelis Edwards | 02036570144
About Mishcon de Reya LLP
Mishcon de Reya is an independent law firm, which now employs over 1400 people with more than 650 lawyers offering a wide range of legal services to companies and individuals. The firm has grown rapidly in recent years, showing more than 40% revenue growth in the past five years alone.
With presence in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore and Hong Kong (through its association with Karas So LLP), the firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply.
The work the firm undertakes is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, spanning seven core practice areas: Corporate; Dispute Resolution; Employment; Impact; Innovation; Private; and Real Estate.
For further information about The Big Legal Lesson or further comment, please contact Oliver Walkden, oliver.walkden@youngcitizens.org, on 020 7566 4141.