The UK Supreme Court examined whether it is within the scope of parental responsibility to consent to living arrangements for a 16-17 year old child that would amount to a deprivation of liberty under article 5 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
The Youth Justice Legal Centre and The Howard League for Penal Reform have published a guide which provides practical steps that lawyers can take to reduce the criminalisation of looked-after children and ensure they receive the support and assistance they need.
The Court of Appeal upheld the decision to lift reporting restrictions in a case involving a 16 year old defendant.
PACE Codes C and H have been updated. Many of the changes relate to the care and treatment of detainees and and may have a particularly significant impact on children and young people in police detention.
The SRA have launched a consultation on assuring advocacy standards and are proposing that advocates in the youth court should have the Higher Rights Advocacy qualification.
The Court of Appeal considered the relevance of age and the long delay between the commission of the offences and sentencing.
The Court of Appeal reduced a 13 year old's custodial sentence as not enough weight was attached to the fact that his ADHD and ASD contributed to his functioning at a lower level than an average 13 year old.
An updated Plea and Trial Preparatory Hearing (PTPH) form has been issued and some of the most significant changes relate to child defendants.
This case is an example of the courts considering maturity as well as chronological age and also of significant credit being given for youth despite the appellant being close to his eighteenth birthday.
