Whether it is the anti-immigration riots in the UK, with hundreds of arrests and prosecutions, Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI for breach of contract, or the UN’s International Court of Justice cases about the Israel-Palestine and Ukraine-Russia conflicts, the law is all around us. Teaching children about this invisible but powerful force can improve their understanding of life and society. Of course, this could be done in the formal setting of a classroom or a visit to the local law court, but there are plenty of opportunities in everyday life to impart legal knowledge.
I explained that it was probably unlawful to sell lemonade on the street without a trading licence
For children, the law is most visible in the form of police officers patrolling the streets. They think of crimes and locking people up in prisons. Among siblings, particularly those of similar age, the offences of battery (infliction of unlawful force or personal violence) and theft are probably most relevant. Just yesterday, my 10-year-old daughter was complaining about her 7-year-old brother swiping her prized football cards. After a brief cross-examination, the young culprit confessed. I grasped the teachable moment, explaining that taking something that belongs to someone else without permission was wrong. If an adult did that, I said, they could be arrested by the police and put in prison. This discussion taught him about respecting others’ property, the seriousness of theft, and the bad consequences of criminal behaviour.
However, I carefully omitted to mention that, as a 7-year-old, he was below the age of criminal responsibility in England (which is 10). He could not be arrested or charged with a crime. While the criminal law captures our imaginations, civil law is far more prevalent in daily life. Unlike criminal cases, which involve the state, the civil law deals with disputes between individuals, companies, or organisations.
For the past few months, my 10-year-old daughter has been begging me for a phone. I saw here an opportunity for a lesson in contract law. We sat down and together we drafted a contract: she would receive a phone in exchange for a daily amount of studying throughout the summer. The terms were simple, outlining her responsibilities and the conditions under which the agreement could be voided. Yesterday, there was a classic dispute about the interpretation of a contract: did reading a particular book count towards her daily studying requirement? A careful reading of the contract showed, much to her disappointment, that what constitutes studying would be ‘determined by the parents’.
More than just a clever parenting tactic, this exercise introduced her to the concepts of agreements, obligations, and consequences. My daughter learned that contracts are binding promises that require attention to detail and clear wording. Invoking the law can even make your house cleaner and safer. Despite numerous warnings, the children would often leave objects on the stairs at home. One day, I explained that our live-in au pair, Lila, was my employee and that our home was her place of work. As an employer, I have a legal duty to take reasonable care to ensure her safety, which includes a safe place to work. If Lila were to hurt herself on the stairs, perhaps after slipping on a piece of Lego, then I could be legally responsible for her injury and any losses caused. This could be millions of pounds if Lila could no longer work and needed nursing care. The threat of financial ruin motivated them to change, as the stairs are now consistently clear. I chose not to tell them about my employer’s liability insurance.
A few months ago, some children set up a lemonade stand on our street. Judging by the queue, it was profitable. Inspired by this entrepreneurial spirit, my children wanted to open their own. Feeling a pang of guilt at my Scrooge-like observation, I explained that it was probably unlawful to sell lemonade on the street without a trading licence. We could receive a fine and actually lose money. The licensing process ensures safety standards, including insurance and food hygiene. To make this a learning experience, I contacted the council for guidance on obtaining the licence. Two months on, I am still awaiting a response. There may be a teachable moment there too.
Of course, this can be taken too far. Not every situation calls for a lecture on the law. However, by integrating legal principles into a few everyday scenarios, we can equip children with valuable knowledge and life skills. We can improve their legal literacy, which although taught as part of ‘citizenship education’ in the national curriculum in England, appears to be lacking in so many teenagers and adults. Using familiar examples, we can spark an interest in law and justice, deepen their understanding of how society works and the role of law in maintaining order, and encourage them to think responsibly.
Daniel Sokol is a barrister and, with his father Ronald Sokol, the co-author of A Young Person’s Guide to Law and Justice, which is published on 28 August.
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