The Francis Burt Law Education Programme groups participate in community legal education tours that may include:

  • an empty court activity – court room layout and court personnel;
  • observing a court in session (Supreme Court, District Court and Magistrates Court); and
  • scripted mock trials that are appropriate to the age of the group. 

Our programmes are mapped to the Western Australian curriculum and are specifically tailored for Year 3-6 primary school, Year 7-12 high school, TAFE, university and community groups. 

Professional development opportunities for teachers and other professions are also available.

Activity Options

Court Visits

Be a judge or lawyer and wear real legal wigs and gowns in the Old Court House. Take the role of a juror, a witness or other court personnel and act out court protocol and procedures in a trial based on a historical or fictitious event. The Education Officer will take photos during the scripted mock trial, which are forwarded to the group leader.

Approximately 45-60 minutes

  • Alice in Court: The Queen of Hearts has accused Alice of disturbing the peace in Wonderland.
  • A Day in the Life of the Magistrates Court: A scripted recreation of a normal day in the life of the busy and bustling Magistrates Court.
  • The State of Western Australia v. Captain James HOOK: Charged with kidnapping Jack and Maggie Banning, who are Peter Pan’s children, the jury must decide if the accused is guilty or not guilty.
  • The State of Western Australia v. Jamie BROWN: A fictional character accused of arson resulting from a fire that caused extensive damage to the college that s/he attends.
  • The State of Western Australia v. John GAVEN: The true case of a 15-year-old boy, John Gaven, put on trial in the Old Court House in 1844 for murder.
  • The State of Western Australia v. Charlie WRIGHT: A fictional character accused of grievous bodily harm resulting from a one-punch incident outside a suburban party.
  • The State of Western Australia v. Audrey Campbell JACOB: The true case of a 20-year-old Western Australian woman put on trial for the murder of her fiancé, Cyril Gidley, after he was shot at the Government House Ballroom in 1925.