Joint Enterprise: Understanding Collective Liability — Before It's Too Late
You Don't Have to Hold the Weapon to Face the Consequences
In the eyes of the law, being present is enough. Under the doctrine of joint enterprise, a young person can be convicted of a serious offence — including murder — without throwing a punch, carrying a weapon, or intending for anyone to be harmed. Most young people have no idea this is possible until they are sitting in a courtroom.
Our Joint Enterprise workshop changes that. Delivered by credible messengers who can bring the legal reality to life through direct experience, the session explains plainly how joint enterprise works, where the law draws the line between presence and participation, and why the decisions made in the moment — who you are with, where you are, whether you stay or leave — have consequences that the law will hold you to.
The session also covers digital liability — how group chat activity, social media presence, and online association can be used as evidence of joint enterprise — and what young people can do differently to protect themselves.
The workshop is adapted for year group and can be delivered as a standalone session or as part of a broader Legal Literacy programme. If you would like to find out more or book a Joint Enterprise workshop for your school, get in touch here.
