- prepares the adequate conditions and environment;
- clarifies objectives and benefits for the actors;
- coordinates the unfolding of the simulation activity;
- analyses the activity upon its closure;
- assesses all elements involved: characters (actors, observers), parts,
relationships, mounting and solving the conflict (problem), duration,
discussions and reflection on the decisions reached.
Target population
Using simulation is beneficial for all clients of information, counselling and guidance
services: pupils, young graduates of various educational levels, adults.
Exercises, case studies, examples
For the classic version of the method we have chosen an application of occupational
simulation (trial in court) successfully used with law students, but also with pupils who
aspire to become lawyers. The scenario is also used in correctional environments to
recuperate people with deviant behaviours.
Trial simulation in court
Simulating a trial has proved to be one of the most efficient methods to learn some basic
notions of the legal system. This allows pupils to interpret all the roles involved in the
legal system, from clerk and judge, to witness and prosecutor. Pupils acquire an intrinsic
perspective, since they learn these parts by practicing them.
Trial simulations can turn into competitions where groups of pupils representing schools
or other organizations compete against each other. These competitions are similar to sport
ones, except that pupils learn laws and legal procedures by playing various parts. Pupils
are scored based on their performance, often by real judges and lawyers.
a. What is the trial simulation?
The simulation of a trial represents the imitation of a legal session that can be based on a
hypothetical or a real case. Given the objectives of the counsellor, trial simulations may
be formal or informal, whole or sections of the whole, with more or fewer participants.