*/
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) announced proposals to raise standards in the youth court so that it is no longer seen as a training ground for advocates but an area of specialism.
It followed research, commissioned by the BSB and CILEx Regulation last year, that found the quality of advocacy was ‘highly variable’, a lack of specialist knowledgeand training, and that the court was seen as a place for advocates to ‘cut their teeth’.
The BSB wants to establish youth court advocacy as an area of specialism, setting competencies and providing guidance on how to satisfy them. To improve performance, it is considering a range of options, from risk-based or sampled court visits to observe advocacy, to encouraging those who come into contact with a youth court advocate to bring concerns to the BSB’s attention.
Where identified, poor performance would be addressed by supporting the advocate to improve, with enforcement action reserved for the most serious or persistent cases. The BSB also plans to work with others in the youth justice sector to raise the status of youth advocacy work.
BSB director of supervision and authorisation, Oliver Hanmer, said: ‘The youth court deals with some of the most vulnerable people within the criminal justice system and the impact of poor quality advocacy is therefore grave.’ He said the BSB is committed to improving standards and making a positive difference to the lives of those who appear in the youth court.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) announced proposals to raise standards in the youth court so that it is no longer seen as a training ground for advocates but an area of specialism.
It followed research, commissioned by the BSB and CILEx Regulation last year, that found the quality of advocacy was ‘highly variable’, a lack of specialist knowledgeand training, and that the court was seen as a place for advocates to ‘cut their teeth’.
The BSB wants to establish youth court advocacy as an area of specialism, setting competencies and providing guidance on how to satisfy them. To improve performance, it is considering a range of options, from risk-based or sampled court visits to observe advocacy, to encouraging those who come into contact with a youth court advocate to bring concerns to the BSB’s attention.
Where identified, poor performance would be addressed by supporting the advocate to improve, with enforcement action reserved for the most serious or persistent cases. The BSB also plans to work with others in the youth justice sector to raise the status of youth advocacy work.
BSB director of supervision and authorisation, Oliver Hanmer, said: ‘The youth court deals with some of the most vulnerable people within the criminal justice system and the impact of poor quality advocacy is therefore grave.’ He said the BSB is committed to improving standards and making a positive difference to the lives of those who appear in the youth court.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
On the 50th anniversary of the pub bombings, even now it is still unresolved. Chris Mullin, the journalist and former MP who led the campaign leading to the release of the Birmingham Six, looks back at events
Adele Akers’ reflections on health and wellbeing support at the very junior end of the Bar
Not one to say, ‘I told you so,’ Sam Thomas continues his cyber series with the key learnings from the major supply chain attack affecting 80 law firms and at least one set of chambers at the end of 2023
One year on and the Court of Appeal fails to quash convictions after receiving evidence of racism in the jury room, and there are still no revisions to the Equal Treatment Bench Book , says Keir Monteith KC
Increasing sophistication and frequency of attacks have led many chambers to ask ‘when’ not ‘if’ they will suffer a cyber incident. Simon Davis sets out the factors to consider when renewing your cyber cover
