Pupils debate cameras in court

Pupils from 14 schools across Scotland have won a place in the semi-finals of the Law Society of Scotland's Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament after contesting the merits of allowing court cases to be filmed.

The winning pupils, who were among the 62 teams competing in the second round heats, debated the motion "This House would allow TV cameras in all Scottish courtrooms".

The annual competition, which is now the biggest schools' debating tournament in Scotland, invites pupils from schools across Scotland to pit their wits and powers of persuasion against each other.

Heather McKendrick, Development Officer, Education and Training Policy at the Law Society of Scotland, said: "All the pupils who have made it through the second stage heats are to be congratulated. There are always difficult decisions to be made when selecting teams to go through and of course it gets more and more difficult as the tournament progresses.

"The debate around allowing cameras into the court room is highly topical and it was interesting to hear what the teams make of the arguments in favour and against such a proposal."

For further information about the debating tournament see http://www.lawscot.co.uk/becomingasolicitor/our-work-with-schools/debating

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact Val McEwan on 0131 226 8884. Email: valeriemcewan@lawscot.org.uk

Schools through to the semi finals are:

Glenalmond College, Perthshire (two teams have gone through to semi finals)

Craigmount High School, Edinburgh (two teams have gone through to semi finals)

Mearns Castle High School, Glasgow

Hutchesons' Grammar, Glasgow

The Edinburgh Academy

St Ninian's High School, Giffnock

Nairn Academy

Meldrum Academy, Inverurie

Madras College, St Andrews

Stewart's Melville College, Edinburgh

St Aloysius College, Glasgow

St Andrew's and St Bride's, East Kilbride

Gryffe High School, Houston

Boclair Aacdemy, Bearsden

09 February 2012