*/
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
Set up as a centre of excellence for youth justice law, the Youth Justice Legal Centre (YJLC) shares knowledge, convenes expertise and circulates innovation in support of the community of youth justice practitioners who fight for better outcomes for children in contact with the criminal legal system.
Representing children in the criminal courts requires specialist knowledge and skills. The youth justice system is very different from the law and practice of representing adults, from its principal aim through to child specific sentencing guidelines and key areas of law such as modern slavery. Additionally, over the course of a child’s development their degree of understanding will change. They may also have disabilities that require specific communication skills, or a limited ability to understand the impact of criminal justice contact on their lives.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) requires barristers and pupils working in the Youth Court to register with the regulator and declare they have the specialist skills, knowledge and attributes necessary to work effectively with children and young people, as set out in its guidance, Youth Proceedings competences.
The BSB identifies the key competences as the particular law and procedure, dealing with vulnerability, awareness of background and needs, communication and engagement, and awareness of key organisations. The BSB lists YJLC training as one of three suggested training and resource providers in its guidance.
YJLC’s training gives barristers access to unparalleled, dedicated expertise along with a unique opportunity to get feedback directly from young people as to what they would like from their legal representative. Our training courses are deemed essential for all lawyers who will be representing children in the Youth Court or the Crown Court.
‘ The YJLC training should be compulsory. It is brilliant and I’d recommend that every pupil/junior barrister does this training. It can be daunting stepping foot in the youth courts to represent a vulnerable young person and this training gives you the confidence to represent these people in the best way.’ Alexandra Wilson, barrister and founder of Black Women in Law
In addition to its foundational course, YJLC delivers specific training courses on areas such as child exploitation, anonymity, racial discrimination and taking instructions from child clients.
There is also a YJLC membership programme. The benefits of being a YJLC member include reduced-cost training and priority access to our legal advice line. Our advice line is manned by specialist youth justice lawyers who provide dedicated case support and expertise in this niche area of law. YJLC also holds bi-monthly lunchtime webinars on new and evolving areas, which are free for members to attend.
The YJLC hosts an annual summit. Our speakers are leading figures and specialist experts who share their experience and tools for ensuring the better treatment and representation of children in the criminal legal system. Previous speakers include Lady Hale, Sir Keir Starmer, David Lammy, Professor Sarah Jayne Blakemore and Professor Simon Baron Cohen.
The founders of YJLC are committed to youth justice as a specialist area of law and believe all children should benefit from trained specialist lawyers to ensure the best outcomes and life opportunities. We are delighted to welcome any members of the Bar to the YJLC membership and look forward to training those of you who feel you could learn more.
Our next general course aimed at pupils and junior barristers will take place on Saturday 18 January 2025 at the Bar Council and can be booked via our website.
The Youth Justice Legal Centre is the centre of excellence in youth justice law in England and Wales. We share knowledge, convene expertise and circulate innovation in order to support a community of youth justice practitioners fight for better outcomes for children. Visit our website at www.yjlc.uk to access our advice line, online seminars, guides, membership and training programmes.
Set up as a centre of excellence for youth justice law, the Youth Justice Legal Centre (YJLC) shares knowledge, convenes expertise and circulates innovation in support of the community of youth justice practitioners who fight for better outcomes for children in contact with the criminal legal system.
Representing children in the criminal courts requires specialist knowledge and skills. The youth justice system is very different from the law and practice of representing adults, from its principal aim through to child specific sentencing guidelines and key areas of law such as modern slavery. Additionally, over the course of a child’s development their degree of understanding will change. They may also have disabilities that require specific communication skills, or a limited ability to understand the impact of criminal justice contact on their lives.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) requires barristers and pupils working in the Youth Court to register with the regulator and declare they have the specialist skills, knowledge and attributes necessary to work effectively with children and young people, as set out in its guidance, Youth Proceedings competences.
The BSB identifies the key competences as the particular law and procedure, dealing with vulnerability, awareness of background and needs, communication and engagement, and awareness of key organisations. The BSB lists YJLC training as one of three suggested training and resource providers in its guidance.
YJLC’s training gives barristers access to unparalleled, dedicated expertise along with a unique opportunity to get feedback directly from young people as to what they would like from their legal representative. Our training courses are deemed essential for all lawyers who will be representing children in the Youth Court or the Crown Court.
‘ The YJLC training should be compulsory. It is brilliant and I’d recommend that every pupil/junior barrister does this training. It can be daunting stepping foot in the youth courts to represent a vulnerable young person and this training gives you the confidence to represent these people in the best way.’ Alexandra Wilson, barrister and founder of Black Women in Law
In addition to its foundational course, YJLC delivers specific training courses on areas such as child exploitation, anonymity, racial discrimination and taking instructions from child clients.
There is also a YJLC membership programme. The benefits of being a YJLC member include reduced-cost training and priority access to our legal advice line. Our advice line is manned by specialist youth justice lawyers who provide dedicated case support and expertise in this niche area of law. YJLC also holds bi-monthly lunchtime webinars on new and evolving areas, which are free for members to attend.
The YJLC hosts an annual summit. Our speakers are leading figures and specialist experts who share their experience and tools for ensuring the better treatment and representation of children in the criminal legal system. Previous speakers include Lady Hale, Sir Keir Starmer, David Lammy, Professor Sarah Jayne Blakemore and Professor Simon Baron Cohen.
The founders of YJLC are committed to youth justice as a specialist area of law and believe all children should benefit from trained specialist lawyers to ensure the best outcomes and life opportunities. We are delighted to welcome any members of the Bar to the YJLC membership and look forward to training those of you who feel you could learn more.
Our next general course aimed at pupils and junior barristers will take place on Saturday 18 January 2025 at the Bar Council and can be booked via our website.
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
