legal proceedings

Young people and civil justice : findings from the 2004 English and Welsh Civil and Social Justice Survey

Summary report presenting findings relating to young people's experience of and response to 18 broad types of civil law problem. It particularly looks at the role of social isolation on problem experience by considering separately the experience of young respondents living apart from their parents or any other adult over the age of 24.

The Children's hearing system in Scotland 2002: training resource manual

In 1996 the Scottish Office commissioned a complete revision of the existing guidance manual for Children's Panel members in order to bring it up to date, in particular for the new legislation. The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 was implemented in April 1997 and the Human Rights Act 1998 has since been introduced. Experience of working with the new legislation has brought about best practice guidelines.

The Children's Hearings (Legal Representation) (Scotland) Rules 2002

These Rules permit legal representatives to attend Children's Hearings in certain circumstances. They also specify when the Children's Hearing may consider the appointment of a legal representative, and the circumstances in which an appointment may be made.

They authorise the Principal Reporter to make copies of the relevant documentation available to legal representatives and also specifies groups of persons from whom a legal representative may be appointed.

Voice of the Child Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 : Giving Due Regard to Children's Views in All Matters that Affect Them : Volume 2

This feasibility study sought to examine how best to conceptualise and evaluate how decision-making in children’s lives takes due account of their views, with particular attention to processes related to Part I of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and the implications for compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Child witness support

Consultation document that contains individual sections on a system of integrated support for child witnesses, guidance on investigative interviewing, the provision of pre-court therapy, the conduct of court familiarisation visits, the questioning of children in court, and a format for communicating information about child witnesses throughout the legal process.