Court Confidence
A practical one-day online course for Youth Justice Services
Date: Thursday 22nd October 2026
Time: 10am-4.00pm
Cost: £240 | £120 YJLC Members (contact [email protected] for your members' discount code or membership information).
New to court work in youth justice, or looking to build confidence across your team? Court Confidence is a practical, interactive one-day online course designed specifically for Youth Justice Service practitioners who need to understand the court process and feel prepared to contribute effectively.
With many practitioners joining the court rota on Saturdays, the course focuses on the practical knowledge YJS staff need when attending court, preparing reports and supporting children through proceedings.
The day will take you through the youth court process from first hearing to outcome, demystifying legal terminology and exploring the distinct roles and responsibilities of everyone involved.
What will you learn?
The course will cover:
- The foundations of youth court practice – key legal principles and the rules that apply specifically to children in the youth court
- Court roles and responsibilities – including magistrates, judges, legal representatives, YJS practitioners and other professionals
- An introduction to bail and remand – including the key principles, decision-making and the YJS role in supporting children appearing before the court
- Children in the adult courts – understanding when children may appear in adult courts and how they should be dealt with
- Youth court procedure – from the first hearing through to allocation and outcome
- Key practical issues – including reporting restrictions, parent or guardian attendance, secure docks and the use of intermediaries
- An introduction to sentencing – exploring the principles that underpin sentencing for children and the role of the YJS
Practical, interactive and focused on real-world practice
Expertly facilitated by YJLC, the course combines legal knowledge with practical examples and real-world scenarios. You’ll have opportunities to ask questions, explore common court situations and consider how the law translates into day-to-day YJS practice.
Whether you are new to the court rota, preparing your first court report, attending court for the first time, or looking to refresh your knowledge, this course will help you feel more confident, prepared and effective.
By the end of the day, you’ll have a stronger understanding of the youth court process, greater confidence in navigating court proceedings, and a clearer understanding of how your role can contribute to achieving positive outcomes for children.
About the facilitator: Robbie Eyles
Robbie is a specialist youth justice solicitor. He primarily works on YJLC's advice line, providing free, specialist legal advice and support to children, carers, and practitioners on issues relating to youth justice law and practice. Robbie also regularly trains youth justice services, solicitors, barristers and other professionals on youth justice law, has written YJLC's legal guides and contributed to the upcoming edition of the book Youth Justice Law and Practice.
Alongside his YJLC work, Robbie practices as a solicitor at Just for Kids Law part-time, where he has worked since March 2020, representing children and young people in criminal proceedings. He is passionate about the impact a lawyer can have on a young person's life and seeks to work in a trauma-informed and strengths-based manner.
Robbie has particular expertise in child criminal exploitation and the rights of undocumented migrant children; he has published two academic articles on the latter subject in peer-reviewed journals.