Session étude déc 2003 E révisée

The treatment of young people at court Mr Richard WOOLFSON, consultant in management, Lexicon Limited, United Kingdom Today's meeting is focusing on the customers of the justice system. I would like to concentrate on one part of that customer base, namely young people, and on one part of the justice process, namely what happens at court. I should also acknowledge that the lessons we have learned about the needs of young people are now recognised to apply also to vulnerable adults. Indeed, recent legislation in England and Wales has extended the special measures previously available only to young witnesses to vulnerable adult witnesses. Although I will be speaking specifically about the treatment of young people in the justice system of England and Wales, I hope you will agree that the challenge is the same for all jurisdictions. How are we to meet this challenge? I want to distinguish two key tasks we must address which are quite distinct but of equal importance. WITNESSES Let me begin by talking about young people as witnesses. In England and Wales, young people seldom give evidence in family or civil proceedings and so what I have to say will concern young witnesses in criminal proceedings. Nevertheless, many of the points apply irrespective of the kind of proceedings. It is as well to keep in mind why we are applying the principles. It is not merely to be nice to young people, however desirable that might be, but to obtain ...