Making Written Representations to the CPS on behalf of a Child

Online Masterclasses for lawyers representing children in the criminal legal system

Making written representations to the CPS to discontinue proceedings or offer an Out of Court Resolution (OOCR) to a child suspect is a core part of the skills required to be a lawyer defending children in the criminal legal system. 

YJLC legal masterclasses support the knowledge and competencies required by the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority for representing children in criminal cases, and they can also count towards your CPD requirements.

This masterclass will include the core components of the work needed to draft and pursue written representations on behalf of a child client.

The 1.5 hour session will help all lawyers representing children learn how to:

1. Collect and identify relevant background information
2. Address the child’s ability to effectively participate in the legal process,
3. Set out the relevant content for written representation to the CPS
4. How to best use the relevant parts of the Code for Crown Prosecutors
   1. Decisions whether to Prosecute
   2. Full Code Test
   3. Public Interest Test
   4. Reconsideration of a Prosecution Decision
5. How to best use the relevant parts of the CPS Guidance on Children as Suspects and Defendants,
   1. Welfare considerations
   2. Child First (developing an understanding of the concept for CPS lawyers)
   3. Relevant parts of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
   4. Determining age of offender
   5. Mens Rea
   6. Circumstances of the child
   7. Out of Court Resolutions
   8. Effective Participation
6. How to best use the relevant parts of CPS Mental Health: Suspects and Defendants Guidance
7. How to best use the relevant parts of the CPS Guidance on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
   1. Setting out the distinction between s.45 the modern slavery defence for children versus adults
   2. The Four-Stage Approach to the Prosecution Decision
   3. CPS duties and NRM findings
   4. Age Disputes
   5. NCA Criminal Exploitation Guidance

Classes are led by youth justice experts, including:

Aika Stephenson

Aika Stephenson is one of the UK’s leading youth justice solicitors and the Legal Director of Just for Kids Law. With over 20 years’ experience representing children in criminal proceedings, Aika brings unparalleled insight into the realities of youth defence work. Twice named Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year, she is also the author of In Their Defence: Fighting for Youth Justice One Child at a Time — a powerful account of her work and the systemic challenges faced by young defendants.

Shauneen Lambe

Shauneen Lambe is an internationally recognised lawyer, qualified as both a barrister in the UK and an attorney in the USA. She began her career at the Louisiana Crisis Assistance Center, representing clients facing the death penalty — including those accused of offences committed as children. A founding leader in youth justice reform, Shauneen is an Ashoka Fellow, an Eisenhower Fellow, and co-author of Youth Justice Law and Practice (the leading LAG textbook for lawyers).

Mel Stooks

Mel Stooks is an exceptionally experienced youth justice solicitor and Head of the Youth Team at GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates. Since qualifying in 1998, she has dedicated her career to defending young and vulnerable people, often representing clients from police station to trial to ensure trust and continuity. An accomplished trial advocate, Mel regularly defends children charged with serious offences, including murder, and has particular expertise in neurodiversity and criminal exploitation. She has contributed to national best practice guidance, including the ICCA’s Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law, and delivers specialist training for lawyers and other professionals working within the youth justice system.

Over the series of masterclasses, we will also be joined by other leading youth justice lawyers as they help develop your skills and knowledge in representing children facing criminal allegations.