Law students discuss below their experiences with being involved in the Street Law Initiative.
Street Law provides a highly-participatory, law-focused education to school pupils whilst also contributing to the professional development of Scots Law students. The law students design and deliver classes about the law and the legal process. The classes also cover the knowledge and skills that school pupils can use to recognise, prevent and (in some cases) resolve legal problems. More information about Street Law can be found on The Law Society of Scotland website.
Lyn Ajanku
"Pepi and I went into Bucksburn Academy School once a week during the second half of term last year. We had a great time while we were there. Teaching the children was really enjoyable especially when they engaged in the activity. The best part of the lessons was when they ask so much questions and we end up going over time but nobody is running to their next class. We learnt a lot from teaching in the course of Street Law. It developed our presentation skills and increase our confidence and law knowledge. The best thing about it was that we were able to encourage the pupil to consider law as a degree. Additionally, they benefitted in learning about 'How will Law affect them?' and the impact law has on their lives. The design of the lessons was really helpful as it encouraged participation and discussion, allow them to express their view on any topic we were teaching. This would have been different from their usually way of being taught. Being a Street lawyer trainer so far has been very rewarding and I would encourage anyone who is doing law to consider doing it."
Emily Cranston
"This is my second year being involved with street law. I am currently teaching a class at Bucksburn Academy. I have found the pupils to be intelligent, engaging and humorous. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time being a street law trainer. It has taught me to cement my legal knowledge and apply it to real life situations. I highly recommend other law students to take the opportunity to be street law trainers."
Penyo Ivanov and Gregor Pringle
“Me and Gregor have had three classes this year in which we looked at Assault and Breach of the Peace, Human Rights; and Murder and Culpable Homicide. Currently we are organising a mock trial to take place on the 8th March”.
Evangelos Stefanis
“Street Law project has been an amazing experience for me, not only for the things that I have learnt but also for having the chance to be taught from distinguished law professors of American Universities. The training was an essential part of the project because we had the chance to find out innovative and productive ways of communicating basic criminal law to high school students. The Street Law Project for me is the best way to discover my talents while losing myself in the service of others”
Rachel Wagg
"I taught a second year class at Kincorth once a week and it was great. Me and my teaching partner did lessons varying from powers of the police to a mock trial. I was also able to do the mock trial at Brodies LLP for one of their career insight days. It was really fantastic because apparently up until our session the students hadn't been very engaged as they were all from different schools but as the mock trial is so interactive it was a fantastic icebreaker.
I really enjoyed my time teaching and hope I get to do it again next year once my timetable is less full. The training weekend was also great fun and an amazing opportunity to meet other LLB students from universities all across Scotland. Further to this because I enjoyed teaching so much with Street Law I am strongly considering going into teaching once I finish my LLB."
