National Justice Museum Education Royal Courts of Justice London

National Justice Museum Education at the Royal Courts of Justice offer educational workshops which take place in the real, working courtrooms. Students will learn about the law and justice system, explore a contemporary or historical case amd prepare and present a mock trial, taking on all the courtroom roles including judge, clerk, usher, barristers, solicitors, witnesses and jury members.

Since our workshops take place in real, working courtrooms, they truly bring the law to life for students. Our sessions enable students to engage with issues related to law, crime and punishment and are linked to many different subject areas across the curriculum. All of our mock trials are based upon real cases so have real impact for the students as the real outcome is revealed at the end of their trial. We also organise for legal professionals to attend to speak to the students so they can find out what a career in law is like and raise aspirations.

All of our workshops are curriculum-linked and we cover a wide variety of topics. Sessions begin with an overview of the court system and areas of law, tailored to the interests of the group. Then, depending on the age of students, they will explore a contemporary case looking at cyberbullying, knife crime, drugs offences, hate crime or murder, or a historical case examining theft in the Victorian period, Suffragettes, protest, murder or capital punishment. Students will take on the roles of all participants in the mock trial and learn about courtroom roles, as well as sentencing.

We also offer workshops looking at the interpretation of law in more detail where students explore an appeal case, focusing on either religious freedom, joint enterprise or diminished responsibility.

Our sessions are designed to empower young people, by giving them the knowledge, skills and aspirations to play an active part in our society.

Our maximum group size depends upon activity, but we can have more than one session taking place at a time.

We have no minimum group size, but we do have a minimum charge to cover the cost of running the session which equates to bringing 20 students.

We are able to waive this minimum charge for SEN/alternative provision groups.

We provide pre-visit resources for all of our workshops including a teacher pack with instructions for how to prepare students for the visit. Students are also provided with the relevant resources for their role.

We also provide a visit practicalities document covering all the information you should need for your visit.

Unfortunately, photography and filming of any kind is strictly prohibited in the Royal Courts of Justice because it is a working court building. There is the chance to take a photograph outside the main entrance.

Yes, up to date risk assessments are sent to teachers during the booking process but can also be downloaded from our website at this link

https://www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/museum/learning/london

Teachers are welcome to arrange a familiarisation visit free of charge.

All enquiries should be sent to learning@nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk or call 0115 933 9811

The cost of a 2-hour Courtroom Workshop is £8.50 per student. Teacher places are free.

First aid officers are provided by the security team at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Accessible toilets are available.

Unfortunately, there is no lunch space because the Royal Courts of Justice is a working court building.

The Royal Courts of Justice is DDA compliant. However, it is a Grade 1 listed building and unfortunately some parts of the building are inaccessible for wheelchair users, including the main entrance. This should not, however, affect your visit, so long as we are given notice beforehand. We must be made aware of any access requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure clear access points. All education staff at National Justice Museum are experienced practitioners and we welcome SEN groups or those with additional needs

Sessions take place at the set times of 10:30-12:30, 13:00-15:00 & 15:00-17:00.

“This was an amazing trip, that the students got so much from. Teachers commented that it was the best trip they had been on and students said they were not expecting to enjoy it, but loved it – definitely some legal careers will have started thanks to this trip. Thank you so much, we will be back”  Bishop Challoner School

“The school teachers who were with our group described the visit as ‘one of the best trips they had ever been on’” IntoUniversity Haringey North

“This session really inspired our students to consider a career in law” Edmonton County Scho

The Royal Courts of Justice is a high security building and there is airport style security in place which all visitors must pass through. We ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the session start time to give time to clear the security checks. We recommend briefing students on this beforehand (for example, if they bring a bottle of water, they may be required to take a sip in front of the security officers.