YJLC Summit

The YJLC Summit brings together those who work tirelessly in this undervalued sector, and celebrates our community and collective work. Our speakers are leading experts from across the globe and have shared their ideas and tools for ensuring the better treatment and representation of children in the criminal legal system. At the Summit, we share knowledge, circulate innovation, and develop best practice.

YJLC Summit 2025

Collaborating with Children - Applying Child First Principles in Practice

This year’s Youth Justice Summit was uniquely crafted and led by a team of passionate young people dedicated to improving youth justice services. Their focus was on examining whether a system designed without children at its heart can truly meet the needs of those it serves. With the theme of Child First, Collaboration, and Participation, the summit aimed to explore these critical issues and push forward meaningful change in youth justice practices. 

Watch highlights from the 2025 Summit below. 

Summit 2023

Exploring Alternatives to the Criminal Legal System for Children

The 5th edition of the annual YJLC Summit, held at King's College on October 5th, 2023, was a pivotal event aimed at exploring alternative approaches to the criminal legal system for children. Recognizing the urgent need for professionals to advocate for the rights and well-being of children within the criminal justice system, the summit brought together experts and activists to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve better outcomes for young people. The summit's agenda encompassed several critical topics including Kids, Drugs & Criminality, Schools and Police, Non-Punitive Approaches, and Protection/Safeguarding v Criminalization/Investigation. You can see the highlights from these panel sessions here.

Watch our Summit 2023 Highlights film below.

YJLC Summit 2021

Bias. Discrimination. Fear.

The YJLC Summit 2021 took place on 25th March, with over 1,800 livestream viewers. The fourth annual Youth Justice Legal Centre Summit was an interactive, live virtual event. The day brought experts from various jurisdictions together with practitioners to learn about bias and discrimination and to share ideas on how to overcome it. The summit looked at five areas where children in the criminal justice system can experience discrimination. The themes of these were Girls, Race, Class, Kids (age), and Fear. You can watch some of the highlights from each session here and an overview of the day below.