*/
The Bar Standards Board is launching an independent review of advocacy within youth courts in association with ILEX Professional Standards.
The move follows the publication in June of Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC’s Inquiry into the Operation and Effectiveness of the Youth Court, which called upon the regulators “without delay” to require all legal practitioners representing children to be accredited to do so.
It recommended a minimum of ten hours of CPD-accredited youth training for new entrants, as well as two CPD hours of annual refresher training for all youth court advocates. The BSB said: “The aim of the review is to identify and examine the skills, knowledge, and attributes needed for youth court advocates to work effectively.
“The outcome will be an evidence base from which the two regulators can then identify any existing risks within youth court advocacy, and establish what, if any, regulatory action needs to be taken.”
The review will be supported by a reference group of legal advisers, youth justice charities, youth offending teams, and members of the legal profession and is expected to report its conclusions in February 2015. Barrister Angela Rafferty, member of an advocacy training working group established by Judge Peter Rook, argues in this issue of Counsel: “There is strong empirical evidence that the techniques and tactics which are currently employed in standard cross-examinations are failing to provide a credible and accurate account from children.” See p 22.
It recommended a minimum of ten hours of CPD-accredited youth training for new entrants, as well as two CPD hours of annual refresher training for all youth court advocates. The BSB said: “The aim of the review is to identify and examine the skills, knowledge, and attributes needed for youth court advocates to work effectively.
“The outcome will be an evidence base from which the two regulators can then identify any existing risks within youth court advocacy, and establish what, if any, regulatory action needs to be taken.”
The review will be supported by a reference group of legal advisers, youth justice charities, youth offending teams, and members of the legal profession and is expected to report its conclusions in February 2015. Barrister Angela Rafferty, member of an advocacy training working group established by Judge Peter Rook, argues in this issue of Counsel: “There is strong empirical evidence that the techniques and tactics which are currently employed in standard cross-examinations are failing to provide a credible and accurate account from children.” See p 22.
The Bar Standards Board is launching an independent review of advocacy within youth courts in association with ILEX Professional Standards.
The move follows the publication in June of Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC’s Inquiry into the Operation and Effectiveness of the Youth Court, which called upon the regulators “without delay” to require all legal practitioners representing children to be accredited to do so.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group
Modernising communication and collaboration at a leading Chancery set. A Zexi case study
How to build profile without compromising professional duties. By Naumaan Farooq, Co-Founder of Inked PR
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the role of cut-off levels, and the wider range of factors that must be considered when interpreting results for family court proceedings
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
A decade of reviews and research has disrupted accepted thinking in the search for causality. Suicides following abuse have overtaken domestic homicides. Is the law keeping up? Professor Susan Edwards KC (Hon) examines recent cases and the obstacles to successful prosecution
The case against judge-only justice – and why efficiency is not enough. By Professor Leslie Thomas KC
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Lauren Fullerton examines the how, what and why of setting up a second chambers base
