Junior lawyers to promote the importance of Magna Carta

The legal profession is being encouraged to educate young people about Magna Carta's historical importance and contemporary relevance.

Master of the Rolls, Lord Dyson, who is chairman of the Magna Carta Trust, has launched the Junior Lawyers in Schools project as a key part of the Magna Carta 800th anniversary events.

The project, developed with the Young Barrister's Committee of the Bar Council, the Junior Law Division of the Law Society and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), is designed to connect schools with young lawyers interested in going into classrooms across the country to explain why Magna Carta is still relevant.

Lord Dyson commented: "We know that most young people have heard of Magna Carta, but not enough feel they know what it is really about or understand how important it still is today. The 800th anniversary is a unique opportunity to educate a new generation about Magna Carta. I particularly welcome and would encourage all of us working in the legal system to be part of this exciting initiative."

The Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Committee is providing relevant materials, classroom work sheets and background papers to support the project, as well as an interface on its website where junior lawyers and schools can sign-up to support the project.

The committee is also producing and promoting lesson plans, videos, specially commissioned children's books and talks, as part of its schools education programme.

A poll conducted in 2012 by the committee discovered a lack of understanding of key facts about the charter among young people. The research found only 60 per cent of 18 to 24 year-olds had heard of Magna Carta, compared to 87 per cent who were aware of the US Declaration of Independence.

This is despite the charter's principles having influenced constitutional thinking worldwide, and served as the 'foundation of freedom' for almost two billion people in over 100 countries.

CILEx is providing funding for at least 800 memory sticks to be distributed to its fellows and other junior solicitors and barristers. These memory sticks will be pre-loaded with ideas and activities to help classroom discussion and interaction on Magna Carta and the rule of law.

Speaking at the launch event, CILEx president Frances Edwards said: "[We] believe the impact of the Magna Carta should be understood and celebrated in current times and we are proud to support the Junior Lawyers in Schools programme.

"We not only support the programme as lawyers, but also as educators of young people - we can speak first hand as to how important it is that young people have access to legal skills, knowledge and a fundamental understanding of the rule of law."

John van der Luit-Drummond is legal reporter for Solicitors Journal