Help young people understand the law
Young Citizens is the UK’s leader in the field of legal education for young people, giving them the knowledge, skills and confidence to tackle everyday problems.
We help them to know their rights, understand their responsibilities and navigate confidently through the legal system, knowing when and where to ask for help and further advice.
To help you deliver with confidence we’ve created a host of high-quality, legally accurate resources. Whether you are interested in teaching about the legal implications of social media use or analysing human rights, consumer law and police powers, we have it covered with our SmartLaw classroom resources. Download our resource overview PDF here.
Explore the resources below or join the SmartLaw subscription here for just £150.
The justice system
Exploring the the UK’s legal justice system and its key figures
Learning About the Law
This lesson gives students an introduction to the legal system in the UK. During the lesson students will examine the roles of the various professionals involved in the law and…
Law Makers
In this lesson students examine what the rule of law is and why we need it. They consider how and why laws are made in the UK and what the…
Police Powers
This lesson examines the powers that the police have to stop and search, arrest and detain individuals. Students also have the opportunity to create their own ideal police force considering…
Crime and punishment
What happens when laws are broken?
Sentencing Guidelines
This lesson asks students to consider the key findings of a harassment trial and conclude what sentence should be given to the guilty party. During the course of the lesson…
Sentencing Myths
This short activity challenges young people’s perceptions of current sentencing guidelines. It can be run as a standalone activity or as an extension activity as part of a mock trial…
Youth Justice
During this lesson, students will explore the process a young person goes through when they commit, or are suspected of committing a crime. They will also examine different types of…
Who’s to Blame?
This activity is based on the case of R v. Dudley and Stephens (1884) – two sailors accused of murdering cabin boy Richard Parker, after being cast adrift on the…
Crime and its Impact
Students explore the impact of crime on those surrounding the victim and the perpetrator and consider the financial, physical and emotional ripples that crime can have on a community. Please…
Discrimination and the law
How the law protects those in need
An Introduction to Discrimination Law
This lesson looks at the history of anti-discrimination law, the different types of discrimination (i.e. direct and indirect discrimination) and how the law deals with discrimination. It can be delivered…
Tackling Discrimination
This lesson asks students to explore whether or not we have a moral or legal obligation to tackle discrimination when we see it. It can be delivered as a stand-alone…
Life's essentials
How the law permeates our lives
Family Law – Cohabitation and Marriage
During the course of the lesson students will learn the difference between marriage and cohabitation and consider what legal rights come with both. Students will explore the changing attitudes in…
Housing Law
In this lesson students explore a range of different housing situations someone can find themselves in. They examine some of the common legal issues concerning housing including common landlord and…
Consumer Law
This lesson explores the law concerning buying and selling goods and services highlighting what their rights and responsibilities are as a consumer. The lesson gives students the opportunity to practice…
Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities
This lesson introduces students to the concepts of their legal rights and responsibilities and explores how the law impacts their daily lives. Students explore the different ages that various laws…
Employment Law
During this lesson students explore the law that applies to young workers and what they can do if they believe their legal rights at work are not being upheld. To…
The law online
New technology brings new rights and responsibilities
Social Media and the Law (KS3)
Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of committing these offences. The…
Social Media and the Law (KS4)
Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of these offences. Finally, students…
Sexting and the Law
This lesson explores what the law says in relation to the sending of sexually explicit images by those aged under 18. The lesson examines two scenarios of young people involved…
Cyberbullying
According to research by the charity Ditch the Label, 7 in 10 young people have experienced cyberbullying, 20% of whom experience it daily. Support your students to know their legal…
Free legal teaching resources
Not ready to commit to the full subscription? We also have a range of free law resources you can explore.
The Big Legal Lesson 2024 (ages 11-18+)
The law affects every aspect of our lives, but children and young people rarely learn about it in the...
An Introduction to Human Rights
In this lesson students will explore our rights and responsibilities and how they are protected in law. They are...
Citizenship: a privilege or a right?
Students research what the law says about the rights of individuals to become UK citizens and critically examine whether...
Climate Action – Using the Law to Drive Change
In 2021, COP26 was hosted in Glasgow. It was seen as a pivotal moment in tackling the global climate...
Ethics, Innovation and the Law
Aimed at KS4 and Post-16, your students will: Explore the way technology is developing and the impacts this has...
Migration of People
To help you engage your students in the topic of migration Young Citizens have developed a flexible teaching resource...
Who Owns Your Data?
This ready-to-teach double lesson pack is aimed at students in key stages 4 and 5. During the course of...
Mock Trials Classroom Pack
The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active citizenship experiences. Since 1991, we have provided unparalleled exposure to the...