The first citizens' jury will take place this week as part of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's effort to restore public trust in politics.
The meeting will focus on youth and children's issues - and will almost certainly include widespread concern about gang culture.
Mr Brown and his Cabinet have pledged citizens' juries on a wide range of issues, including the NHS, human rights and a possible new Bill of Rights.
The Prime Minister pledged to set up the juries a few days before taking over as new leader in June, when he said the events would be "where citizens and their representatives have the chance to fully debate the concerns that matter to them".
The juries will usually consist of 12 to 20 people, chosen at random by scientific polling techniques but representative of their own community.
They will deliberate the subject at hand for at least one full day and for up to four days, addressing a defined question on the basis of written evidence.
They will also hear from witnesses on key aspects of the issue under discussion.
At the end of the session the jurors may reach a specific decision or provide input to the wider process of developing government policy.
The Prime Minister yesterday said the first jury would meet later this week on children to discuss:
* How to ensure that every child can be safe, secure and successful at school;
* How parents can get the support and advice they need as they bring up their children;
* How to ensure that our education system reaches the highest standards.
The Prime Minister also said the Government's consultation on its proposed 10-year children's plan would look at the evidence of the effects on children of harmful violence and sexual imagery in video and computer games and on the internet.
He said ministers would review whether new advertising rules or sales restrictions would be needed.
He said the second citizens' jury would be held next week on "crime and communities" and added: "None of us needs reminding after the tragic events of recent weeks of the horrific consequences of gang violence. We will do everything in our power to catch and convict those responsible for such heinous crimes."
Other plans include nine simultaneous citizens' juries on the NHS, one in each region, linked by video bringing together patients, staff and the public.
Mr Brown also announced plans for representatives from every constituency to come together in a nationwide set of citizens' juries held on one day to tackle issues such as crime, immigration, education, health and transport, and pledged wider consultation on his idea of a British Bill of Rights and Duties.
