The Lawyers in Schools programme links law firms, in-house legal teams and chambers with post-primary schools to increase young people’s awareness and understanding of the law.

A pilot of the programme was facilitated by Carson McDowell and funded by the Legal Education Foundation.

Dr Anne Rice, project officer at the Citizenship Foundation, said: “The Lawyers in Schools programme is a unique opportunity for the legal sector to get involved in their community and provide opportunities for practising and trainee lawyers to engage with young people on the legal issues such as employment, consumer rights, and social media that impact their daily lives.

“The pilot programme at Priory Integrated College in Holywood showed us the appetite for legal education in Northern Ireland among young people, but if we are to expand the programme we need more legal professionals to get involved.”

Jacqueline McAleese, the Carson McDowell partner who led the nine-person team that delivered the pilot, added: “There were some very positive outcomes from our pilot programme, both for the young people involved and for our solicitors who volunteered.

“We now want to see additional support from the wider legal sector across Northern Ireland that will enable more young people to take part in this valuable programme.”

Legal professionals are invited to find out more about getting involved with the programme at an information evening to be held the Law Society of Northern Ireland on Wednesday 10 May.

For more information, contact Anne Rice at Anne.Rice@citizenshipfoundation.org.uk.