New Year Honours recognition for Scots lawyers

Lord Mulholland, the former Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC (pictured right), was made a CBE “For services to Law in Scotland.”

Lord Kinclaven, Sandy Wylie QC, was awarded an OBE for “Services to the Introduction of the Scottish Legal System into Schools”. Lord Kinclaven is the founder of the Faculty of Advocates’ MiniTrials, which help demystify the law for school pupils. He said it was a wonderful surprise and that he was not just touched, but overwhelmed at the accolade.

“I am speechless but delighted. This is a great honour from Her Majesty which must be dedicated to the thousands of young people, teachers, lawyers and court staff who have worked together so enthusiastically and selflessly to make MiniTrials such a success in so many places over the past 15 years or so. I am immensely proud of them all,” added Lord Kinclaven (pictured right).

“I hope that this public recognition of MiniTrials encourages even more schools to take part. It is a simple, user-friendly way of finding out more about our Scottish legal system – and it is great fun, too. I would like to see every school given an opportunity to take part.”

MiniTrials have been held in sheriff courts throughout Scotland, usually featuring eight schools from the local area.

Helped by lawyer volunteers and working from information packs compiled by the Faculty, the 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.