Authored by child behavioural expert Charlie Taylor, the report has argued that defence lawyers appearing in the Youth Court should be required to undertake mandatory specialist training, as is currently required of Youth Court magistrates and members of the Crown Prosecution Service. Additionally, the report calls on the MoJ to review the fee structure for cases heard in the Youth Court to ensure that underage offenders have access to the same calibre of legal representation as equivalent adults.
Higher stakes, lower fees
‘The Youth Court tries more serious cases than the adult magistrates’ court because it has greater sentencing powers, yet the appearance fees for lawyers in the Youth Court are similar to those in the adult magistrates’ court (which can only sentence to up to six months in custody,’ Mr Taylor writes. ‘This is not fair because it means that children often receive poorer legal representation in the hands of inexperienced junior barristers and solicitors. For example, advocates would be paid approximately £500 for a two-day robbery trial in the Youth Court compared with £1,600 were the offender an adult and tried in the Crown court.’
Sources: Law Gazette; Ministry of Justice
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