The scales of justice are set to swing into motion to show businesses in Bradford why they need to go green.

The City Hall courtroom, which hasn't been used for 30 years since the current magistrates' building opened in The Tyrls in 1972, is to be the venue for a mock trial involving a judge, jury and barristers.

The fictitious trial will hear the case of a company charged with flouting environmental law.

The judge will hear how a runaway cow, a government minister, a party of school children and a crashing lorry became involved in a breach of environmental legislation.

The brainchild of Rob Pheasant, Business Link for West Yorkshire's environmental adviser, the event aims to highlight the importance of conforming to green legislation to firms in the city.

Mr Pheasant said: "The courtroom is a really intimidating setting. It is very enclosed and has sombre wood panelling and high wooden benches.

"The message we'll be trying to get across is that if businesses don't want to be standing somewhere like this for real, they should sharpen up their environmental practice."

Fiona Harding, a barrister with Bradford firm Schofield Sweeney, will play one of the lawyers in the mock trial.

She said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for delegates to gain first-hand experience of the law in action. The case will be acted out before them in a totally realistic setting."

Mr Pheasant added: "It will have a very visual, very aesthetic feel. There will be a fun element with a serious message."

The mock trial will end a day-long event being held by the Bradford Business Environment Forum.

The Reduce Your Waste-Line! event is being held at City Hall on February 7.

Mr Pheasant added: "In the morning the Environment Agency, Bradford Council and people who are involved in helping businesses to reduce their waste and increase their profits will outline the latest environmental legislation and the issues surrounding it.

"Then in the afternoon we will present a case of how it could all go badly wrong if you are not actually up to speed on these issues."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for the environment, said: "There is increasing public awareness of the importance of environmental issues, and this event will encourage businesses to take these issues even more seriously."