A GROUP of students and theatre group members were given an insight at Bradford Crown Court into how the Magna Carta still governs today.

The Magna Carta on Trial project, organised by Freedom Studios in Little Germany, has seen 40 people, aged between 12 and 85, at Grange Technology College and Carlton Bolling schools, Mind the Gap theatre company and Freedom Studios' Thursday Thespians group learn about the ancient document, famously signed by King John at Runnymede in 1215.

The scheme has been funded through a £49,700 Heritage Lottery Fund grant and saw Freedom Studios, based at The Design Exchange, hold a series of workshops on the Magna Carta at Grange and Carlton Bolling schools earlier this year.

Judge Jonathan Rose talked about the history and continued importance of the Magna Carta, which celebrates its 800th anniversary this year, during the session at the Crown Court yesterday.

The group also got to take up roles within the courtroom, including the jury, as they debated about whether to legalise cannabis and bring back the death penalty.

They were also given the chance to ask Judge Rose questions on today's legal process.

They have spent all of this week gathering information on the historic document ahead of a series of activities later this year, including a visit to Bolling Hall.

Freedom Studios will also create a short film on their findings during a two-week workshop in the summer.

The group, which also includes youngsters with learning difficulties, will stage a play based on the Magna Carta at Bradford City Hall on June 15, the 800th anniversary to the day of the document being signed.

Jude Wright, creative partner at Freedom Studios, which has organised the week-long activities, said: "The project has been amazing.

"It has taught the group about the heritage of the Magna Carta and what it means in modern life.

"We have developed a lot of activities in Bradford over the last few weeks for this project.

"Learning through experience is much more important. The session yesterday gave them a real insight into how it feels to be in a real court of law.

"It also creates an understanding of what the Magna Carta is for them too."

Judge Rose said: "Young people should learn about the Magna Carta.

"They had an understanding that it is a very, very old document but also they recognised that it is crucial to what I do in court every single day.

"It lives today. Its ideas and principles are applied every single today. Its laws remain in force today. It is just as important in 2015 as it was in 1215 when it was signed."