This workshop examines the legal system’s response to children as witnesses in criminal proceedings or as defendants in the youth justice system. Through a combination of presentations, workshops and field visits, participants will learn about new approaches that help young witnesses to give evidence in criminal cases and that seek to improve the prosecution and management of young offenders. Reducing youth crime and reforming the youth justice system are major elements of the UK Government’s effort to build safer communities and tackle social exclusion.
The programme will benefit those responsible for the management of youth courts or community programmes, and those with court management responsibilities (such as judges, magistrates and registrars), as well as prosecutors with concerns about the role of young defendants and witnesses in criminal cases.