More young people than ever are growing up without a basic understanding of the law, warns senior barrister and author Raj Joshi. Now’s the time to teach them their real rights from wrong
Legal literacy is a fundamental skill that every young person should have. It is as essential as knowing how to navigate the world around them. The term refers to the ability to understand basic legal rights, laws, and the legal processes that affect everyday life. Legal literacy empowers individuals to know what they can and cannot do within the law, how to protect themselves from exploitation, and how to advocate for their rights when necessary.
The traumatic 2022 case of a young black girl in Hackney, London, who was strip-searched by police officers during an exam, highlights why understanding the law at any age is so important. Three officers removed her from her exam, claiming they were looking for cannabis, and forced her to undress in the school medical room. They found nothing except a sanitary towel, which they insisted she remove. The officers now face misconduct charges, but no one from the school intervened. After the ordeal, the student was sent back to her exam without any teacher checking in on her.
This situation clearly shows how a lack of legal knowledge – both for the girl and the adults around her – allowed an abuse of power to unfold. Had she known her rights, or if the teachers had understood what was happening, this might have played out very differently. Sadly, this case wasn’t a one-off and indicates a much deeper, more entrenched problem: the urgent need for legal literacy in schools.
Legal literacy isn’t just for future lawyers or law students. It should be a part of every school curriculum. At the moment, young people are growing up without a solid understanding of their rights, especially when dealing with authority figures like police officers or teachers. Research shows just how widespread this issue is. A study by Young Citizens found that by the time students reach A-levels, only 13% have received any formal lessons on the law.
This lack of knowledge leaves young people vulnerable to exploitation or mistreatment when their rights are violated. This is particularly worrying given that authority figures often exploit their power in situations where those involved don’t know how to respond. The case in Hackney is just one example, but young people across the UK face similar issues regularly. There’s also the reality of systemic power imbalances, where authority figures take advantage of young people’s ignorance of their own rights. Research by the Children’s Commissioner has shown that young people are frequently subjected to discriminatory treatment or unlawful actions because they lack knowledge about their rights. When young people don’t know their rights, they become easy targets for anyone in a position of power who’s willing to overstep their boundaries.
In today’s society, trust in law enforcement has plummeted, further exacerbating these issues. A YouGov survey conducted in October 2024 found that 52% of adults have little to no confidence in the police’s ability to tackle crime, compared to just 19% in 2019. The survey also revealed that 57% of the public are not confident the police will deal fairly with complaints about them. These figures point to a broader issue of mistrust in the police, especially when it comes to fairness in handling complaints and protecting citizens’ rights.
This issue ties into a broader problem with the English legal system. The concept of “ignorance of the law is no excuse” is a fundamental principle that ensures justice. But it cannot and should not apply to those in power, like police officers, who are expected to be well-versed in the law. For those in positions of authority, particularly law enforcement, misusing powers – such as the application of stop-and-search laws or misuse of counterterrorism legislation – is an ongoing concern. For example, Section 44 of the Terrorism Act, which gives the police sweeping powers to stop and search individuals, has been widely misused in the past, particularly against people of certain ethnic backgrounds. I remember, as a law-abiding citizen, being stopped by police under this very Act while on my way to the office in the City of London. As a practising barrister, I had the confidence to ask why I was being stopped and to challenge the officer on which specific power they were invoking. My knowledge of the law led to a confused response and a quick exit. But how many others, especially young people, have the courage to question the authorities? This misuse of power is prevalent because people simply don’t know what is legal or not.
Consider the situation of a police officer stopping someone on the street or questioning them during a routine interaction. For many young people, this is an intimidating experience. But if you know your rights, you handle the situation differently. You know what an officer can and cannot do, and you have the confidence to stand up for yourself. Without that knowledge, though, it’s easy to be caught off guard or taken advantage of. Legal literacy is therefore about giving young people the knowledge and confidence to act when the law is being applied to them.
It’s not about turning every student into a lawyer. It’s about ensuring they understand the basics of what they’re entitled to and how they can stand up for themselves. Just like we teach kids how to navigate social situations, we need to teach them how to manage power dynamics and recognise when their rights are being threatened.
The failure of adults to intervene in the Hackney case also highlights the lack of understanding about their own responsibilities. Teachers, as the adults responsible for students’ safety, should know the limits of police power and their obligations to protect students. But none of the teachers intervened when the girl was taken away. If they’d had a better understanding of the situation, perhaps they would have stepped in. Without that legal knowledge, adults often become passive onlookers, unsure of what to do when they see something wrong.
The same problem exists for parents and caregivers. Without a basic understanding of legal rights, they might not know how to protect young people in their care. Whether it’s standing up for a child in an interaction with authority or helping them navigate a legal issue, adults need to have a fundamental grasp of the law to provide meaningful support. This lack of knowledge can leave young people vulnerable and unprotected in crucial moments.
Teaching young people about their rights would help them become more informed, confident, and self-assured. They would understand when their rights are being violated, and they would have the ability to do something about it. More importantly, they would be able to challenge authority when necessary and hold those in power accountable. This would create a society where power isn’t so easily misused, and where young people aren’t left helpless in situations they don’t fully understand.
The idea that legal education should be optional – or limited to those with affluent backgrounds – is outdated. We teach children everything from maths to history, so why shouldn’t they learn the basics of the law? Understanding how the legal system works should be as basic as any other subject.
So, how can we make legal literacy a reality in schools? First, it needs to be a part of the curriculum at every level. Starting in primary school, kids can begin to learn about their basic rights and how the legal system works. These lessons can be woven into personal development or social studies, helping children understand the importance of fairness, justice, and standing up for what’s right.
In secondary school, the legal literacy program could become more structured. While some teachers may not have legal training, this can be addressed in a few ways. Teachers with a background in social studies, citizenship education, or personal development could deliver foundational lessons on topics like legal rights, the justice system, and how to stand up for themselves. For more in-depth content, schools could partner with legal professionals – local lawyers, barristers, or legal executives – who could come in for workshops or lessons. These partnerships would ensure students receive up-to-date, practical legal knowledge from people who work within the system every day.
Schools could also bring in external resources such as law firms, community legal centres, or even government-run programs to help deliver these lessons. These professionals can run interactive sessions on specific topics such as what to do if stopped by the police, how to address discrimination, or how to understand contracts. Such partnerships can help bridge the gap between teachers who may not be trained in law and the students who need to understand the rules that govern their lives.
Ultimately, making legal literacy a central part of the curriculum would require a shift in how we view education. It should be an integral part of every child’s learning experience rather than an afterthought or an optional extra. We can’t keep ignoring this gap in education. The law affects everyone, whether we realise it or not, and it’s time to ensure that young people have the knowledge they need to protect themselves.
Raj Joshi is senior barrister who has been named one of the ‘Top 10 Asian Lawyers in the UK’, and separately as one of the ‘100 Most Influential Asians in the UK’. He is the former Adjudicator to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, gave evidence in the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, is the former chair of the Society of Black Lawyers, and remains the ‘counsel of choice’ for complex cases on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. He is a former member of NACRO’s National Race Issues Advisory Committee, the former vice-chair of the Equal Treatment Advisory Committee of the Judicial Studies Board, a former member of the Judicial Appointments working group, which gave evidence for the Peach Report, and a former member of the consultative group on race issues, the equality committee and the criminal justice group whilst at the CPS.
Main image, courtesy Bob Jenki/Pexels
