The new website, Your Justice Your World, covers all aspects of the justice system from exploring the law, court processes, and the consequences of actions and punishment. It is designed to make the justice system understandable and accessible to the general public, and will play an important part in supporting public legal education in schools from September 2009.
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said:
"Your Justice Your World is a brilliant resource, helping those born in the age of the internet to understand our system of Justice, including why the law is necessary, how it offers protection, and what happens when you break it.
"It is crucial that the next generation have the knowledge and confidence to access the justice system and this excellent resource will go a long way in helping teachers get this important message across to young people."
The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC said:
"Legal education is not just for aspiring lawyers, law and justice are for everyone. I believe that helping young people understand our legal system is critical to our efforts to build a safe and well functioning society for the future.
"Your Justice Your World is a valuable contribution to these efforts, designed with a great deal of care and thought and with input from young people themselves. I believe it has enormous potential in the classroom - but also beyond it.
"Indeed my vision is for people in my own profession - the law - to join this cause, work with schools and engage with young people to foster understanding and respect for the rule of law. I can see Your Justice Your World being an invaluable tool for legal professionals engaged in this work."
After trialling the site, one secondary school teacher of Citizenship studies in Nottingham commented:
""The students responded really positively to the site. Often if they're not interested they go off and do something else, but they didn't, they were really focussed."
Your Justice, Your World will be made available to schools from this September as a free PSHE and Citizenship studies resource. You can visit the preview site on www.teachernet.gov.uk/yjyw .
