Immaturity means young adults need more support in court, report says – The Guardian

‘Young adults should be given special treatment in court because they are immature and need help understanding proceedings, according to a report by an influential legal reform group. The call for a fresh approach for 18- to 24-year-olds comes from the Centre for Justice Innovation as the sharp rise in knife crime highlights the criminal justice system’s problems in dealing with that age group.’

Full Story

the Guardian, 10th April 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Home Secretary to launch Serious Violence Strategy – Home Office

‘Home Secretary Amber Rudd today sets out a multi-million pound commitment to steering young people away from crime and tackling violent drug-dealing gangs.’

Full press release

Home Office, 9th April 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Forced Marriage: protective measures for children and young people in the family courts and the court of protection – part 1 – Family Law Week

‘Judith Pepper, barrister of 4 Brick Court, examines in the first of two articles the development of the law in relation to forced marriage and the protective remedies available for children and young people, focusing on the protective measures available by utilising the inherent jurisdiction of the court.’

Full Story

Family Law Week, 8th April 2018

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Manchester students jailed for selling £800k of drugs on dark web – The Guardian

Posted March 22nd, 2018 in conspiracy, drug trafficking, internet, news, sentencing, young persons by sally

‘A gang of students from the University of Manchester who funded a luxury lifestyle by selling more than £800,000 worth of drugs on the dark web have been jailed for up to 15 years.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 21st March 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

CQC: Access to mental health care for children and young people at a ‘crisis point’ – Family Law

Posted March 12th, 2018 in children, health, mental health, news, reports, young persons by sally

‘The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has said UK health care, education and other public services are failing children and young people regarding their access to mental health services – arguing young people are at a ‘crisis point’ when it comes to mental health support. In light of its findings the CQC has made recommendations for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on how they can best ensure support.’

Full Story

Family Law, 9th March 2018

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

‘The smell of air freshener brings it back’ – BBC News

‘Three women, who say they were groomed into prostitution as teenagers, have won a High Court battle which means they will not have to tell future employers about their soliciting history.’

Full Story

BBC News, 9th March 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Raising the Young Bar profile – Counsel

Posted February 12th, 2018 in barristers, news, young persons by tracey

‘Junior barristers, now more than ever, face a world which looks increasingly uncertain. Rick Hoyle, Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee, looks at the worrying trend and what is being done about it.’

Full Story

Counsel, February 2018

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Council faces legal challenge over award of children’s public health contract – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 2nd, 2018 in children, contracting out, health, local government, news, young persons by sally

‘Two NHS trusts have brought a legal challenge over Lancashire County Council’s award of a contract for public health services for children aged 0 to 19.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 1st February 2018

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Judge ‘at wits’ end’ over secure unit shortages for young people – The Guardian

Posted January 31st, 2018 in detention, judges, news, racism, young persons by sally

‘A judge has said he is at his wit’s end over the inability to relocate a troubled boy who is “suffering the most appalling racial abuse” at a secure unit in Scotland to a safer setting closer to home.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 30th January 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Young people in care being ‘criminalised’ as police receive unnecessarily high number of calls to children’s homes – The Independent

Posted December 18th, 2017 in care homes, news, reports, young offenders, young persons by sally

‘Children in care are at risk of being criminalised as police forces are called out to children’s homes at an unnecessarily high rate, a report has found.’

Full Story

The Independent, 18th December 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Child friendly courts: what we can learn from America – Legal Voice

Posted December 12th, 2017 in children, courts, family courts, news, victims, witnesses, young persons by sally

‘At the tender age of seven, I was faced with the prospect of having to go to court to give evidence. Fortunately, the case settled and I was spared the ordeal of going to court, but I will never forget the endless sleepless nights and distress I felt at the thought of it. The experience made me determined to do whatever I could when I was older to prevent any other child feeling this way.’

Full Story

Legal Voice, 11th December 2017

Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk

Judicial Authorisation of Deprivation of Liberty – 39 Essex Chambers

‘A procedure has been established by the courts to enable the authorisation of the deprivation of liberty of an individual over the age of 16 who lacks capacity to consent to their confinement. This procedure, usually called the Re X procedure after the decision of Re X and others (Deprivation of Liberty) [2014] EWCOP 25 (and No 2 [2014] EWCOP 37), can be used in any setting where the DOLS authorisation procedure in Schedule A1 to the MCA 2005 cannot be used, and also where the person is between the age of 16 and 18.’

Full Story

39 Essex Chambers, December 2017

Source: www.39essex.com

Judge hits out at lack of provision of secure accommodation for teenager – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 29th, 2017 in care orders, mental health, news, young persons by sally

A judge is to protest to ministers for the second time in a year about the lack of secure accommodation for vulnerable young people.

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 29th November 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Lack of young barristers could be fatal for “sustainable, separate profession” – Legal Futures

Posted November 29th, 2017 in barristers, news, young persons by sally

‘The lack of young barristers is now so acute that it could spell the end of a “sustainable, separate profession”, the incoming chairman of the Bar has warned.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 29th November 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Number of young people acting as ‘money mules’ doubles – BBC News

Posted November 27th, 2017 in fraud, money laundering, news, young persons by sally

‘The number of young people caught acting as “money mules” has doubled in the past four years, according to the UK’s fraud prevention service, Cifas.’

Full Story

BBC News, 27th November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Court of Appeal Overturns Birmingham CC v D: 16-17 Year Olds Who Lack Capacity Not Deprived of Their Liberty Within Art 5 Where Parents Consent to Their Confinement – Garden Court Chambers

‘This is the appeal from the decision of Keehan J in Birmingham CC v D [2016] EWCOP 8.’

Full Story

Garden Court Chambers, 10th November 2017

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Age Assessment: Dental Assessments, Appearance and the Benefit of the Doubt – Garden Court Chambers

‘AS was born in Afghanistan. His father, who had worked as a commander in the police, was kidnapped by the Taliban. The family were later informed that he had been killed. The Taliban came looking for AS and it was decided that he should leave the country. He arrived in the UK on 7th September 2015 and claimed asylum. He was taken into the care of Kent County Council. His stated age of 15 was not accepted and an age assessment was undertaken, as a result of which he was found to be 17 with a date of birth of 7th September 1998. Judicial review proceedings were issued challenging this decision. During the course of proceedings, Kent changed its position and argued that he was most likely to be aged 24.’

Full Story

Garden Court Chambers, 10th November 2017

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Police investigating 30 years of alleged sexual and physical abuse against children at mental health unit – The Independent

Posted November 10th, 2017 in child abuse, hospitals, mental health, news, sexual offences, young persons by tracey

‘Police are investigating almost 30 years of alleged physical and sexual abuse against children and young adults being treated at a mental health unit.Hertfordshire Constabulary said the number of victims at the Hill End Hospital Adolescent Unit in St Albans was not yet clear.’

Full Story

The Independent, 9th November 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Teen guilty of bid to import explosives from dark web – BBC News

Posted November 9th, 2017 in explosives, internet, news, young persons by tracey

‘A teenager has been convicted of trying to import explosives from the dark web with intent to endanger life.’

Full Story

BBC News, 8th November 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Wannabe YouTube star sentenced for ‘tombstoning’ into swimming pool during water polo match – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 9th, 2017 in community service, costs, news, nuisance, sentencing, young persons by tracey

‘A wannabe YouTube star has been convicted after he filmed himself “tombstoning” into a swimming pool during a water polo match in a bid to make money from social media.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 8th November 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk