Young Citizens is calling on schools and lawyers to help pupils access legal education ahead of changes to the way the rule of law is taught in England.
The Big Legal Lesson™, backed by The Law Society of England and Wales and international law firm Mishcon de Reya, is an annual campaign providing primary, secondary and sixth-form educators with free resources to help them introduce legal concepts in the classroom.
Designed for ages 5 to 18, the resource packs use everyday activities such as eating breakfast cereal and driving to school to help learners understand what the law is, how it affects them and who has the power to change it.
Pupils will learn about the role of the police, judges, lawyers and politicians in the legal justice system, and how citizens can influence decision-making through democratic participation.
We are also calling on volunteers from the legal sector, including legal professionals and law students, to share their knowledge of the law in local schools by 1st May 2026.
From 23 to 27 February 2026, thousands of pupils across England and Wales are expected to take part in The Big Legal Lesson. Since 2020, the annual campaign has reached over 375,000 children and young people from Key Stage 1 to sixth form.
Last year, 92% of participating teachers said their learners better understood the rule of law and how it affects their lives, whilst more than 8 in 10 children and young people aged 5 to 18 said they think it is important to learn about the law during school.¹ (Young Citizens, 2025)
Changes to teaching about the rule of law
The campaign comes following the Government’s announcement that Citizenship, including teaching about law and rights, will be a compulsory subject in primary education from 2028 as part of a revitalised curriculum. Previously, citizenship education had only been compulsory from Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14) onwards.
Published in November 2025, the Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review recommended measures to “ensure that pupils develop an understanding of rules and laws, why they are important, who makes them and the consequences of not following them”.
The review also recommended that the new Citizenship curriculum should introduce concepts such as fairness, equity, and rights and responsibilities.
Strengthening democracy through legal education
Ashley Hodges, CEO of Young Citizens, said: “Every school wants to prepare their young people as citizens, and understanding the law and our legal institutions is key to that. But without expert materials and relevant, exciting content, that can be a hard ask. When pupils learn how the law works and how it shapes their lives, they gain the confidence to ask questions, make informed decisions, and participate meaningfully in society. Our campaign hopes to strengthen the foundations of democratic life by empowering our youngest citizens to understand how our society is run and who is involved, so they know their stake and can influence it.”
Mark Evans, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “Encouraging young learners to understand how the law works and affects everyday life, gives them the confidence to make informed decisions as future citizens. The Law Society has supported the Big Legal Lesson since its inception. We are proud to see that it continues to inspire young people, teachers and legal professionals in a practical and meaningful way. Young people must learn their rights and responsibilities and feel empowered to engage with the law throughout their lives.”
Verity Taylor, Senior Pro Bono Manager at campaign sponsors Mishcon de Reya said: “Legal literacy is foundational to a thriving democratic society, which is why we’re incredibly proud to support The Big Legal Lesson again in 2026. At Mishcon de Reya, we believe that understanding the law should be empowering, not intimidating. This initiative opens the door for young people to build confidence, curiosity and critical thinking skills that will stay with them for life.”
- Schools can pledge to deliver The Big Legal Lesson here.
- Legal professionals and law students can register to volunteer here.
For further information about The Big Legal Lesson or further comment on the importance of legal education in our schools or the new curriculum, please contact us.
¹ Figures taken from a Young Citizens survey (2025) of 26 teachers and 119 children and young people aged 5 to 18 after taking part in The Big Legal Lesson 2025.