Youth Justice Legal Centre

The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is too low. The lowest in Europe.

Great to see the issues discussed in yesterday’s @thetimes article. There is nothing in the neuroscience evidence that suggests you can, suddenly at 10, understand and be responsible for your actions in the criminal legal system. Thanks to those campaigning, including @sjblakemore and one of our directors @YJLCUK Aika Stephenson @Justforkidslaw for the age to be raised.

thetimes.com/uk/crime/artic…

As an organisation, YJLC are delighted to be supported by @RSfoundation This amazing organisation is dedicated to helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds break down barriers to success, find their voice, and realise their true potential in the world.

We are really grateful for their generous sponsorship of the YJLC Summit 2025 Collaborating with Children- Applying Child First Principles in Practice and we looking forward to welcoming RSFs Chair of Trustees, Clive Ellington, as a speaker. yjlc.uk/training-and-e…

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ho… new open access article - Power in the courtroom: Judicial perspectives on care-experienced girls and women in court @CJJFitzpatrick

An afternoon of online PSR and Sentencing training for @plymouthcc Youth Justice Service with our highly experienced trainer @MelStooks @GTStewartSols covering everything from the sentencing guidelines and how to use them in reports to tricky cases including dangerousness and knife offences #youthjustice #sentencing #youthsentencing #childfirst

news.sky.com/story/inside-t… Delays have a particularly harsh impact on children, significantly harming their life chances at a critical stage of development. These delays make it harder for them to move forward and break free from the criminal legal system.