THE FACULTY OF ADVOCATES
MiniTrial started as an initiative by Sandy Wylie QC - and is being taken forward with the support and encouragement of the Faculty of Advocates. The original MiniTrial volunteers were members of Faculty who visited local schools and helped pupils to run MiniTrials in class. Trinity Academy in Edinburgh was the first school to test the materials in the classroom and to use them as part of a six week course in social education.Special thanks go to Des Browne MP and Maureen Murphy for organising the first all-day MiniTrial event involving eight schools, running two trials each, in Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.Members of Faculty have helped to organise and run similar MiniTrial events in various Sheriff Courts across the country - in Kilmarnock, Edinburgh Paisley, Ayr, Dundee and Glasgow– with new events planned for other locations. The Faculty encourages others to join in so that MiniTrial can be run as a joint venture involving all those who have an interested in education and the Scottish legal system.
THE LAW SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND
Members of The Law Society of Scotland have actively supported the MiniTrial events in Kilmarnock, Edinburgh and Paisley Sheriff Courts – and they continue to do so for Dundee and Ayr.Many solicitors and bar associations have taken part - in local schools and in local sheriff courts - to great effect.
THE PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE
The Procurator Fiscal Service has provided numerous helpers and supporters for all of the MiniTrial events. The assistance from Procurator Fiscal Deputes is very much appreciated by all those involved.
Education Authorities who have organised MiniTrials
EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
2007 THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL
Edinburgh Sheriff Court 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL
Paisley Sheriff Court 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL
Renfrew District Court 2004 and Paisley Sheriff Court 2007
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL
Dundee Sheriff Court 2004
SOUTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL
Ayr Sheriff Court 2005, 2006, 2007
GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL
Glasgow Sheriff Court 2005
NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCI
Airdrie Sheriff Court 2008
THE W.S. SOCIETY
Members of The Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet were among the first to provide encouragement, help and support for MiniTrial.
SCOTTISH COURTS
The Scottish Court Service and local Sheriff Clerks have willingly provided courtrooms and a huge amount of help and support for all of the MiniTrial events. The ability to use real courtrooms and to meet real court staff has been a major factor in the success of the MiniTrial events.