MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate use, 17 April 2011

Youth Advocates oppose linking Youth Justice to legal aid system

The Youth Justice Committee of the New Zealand Law Society says it strongly opposes any policy or law change which would connect Youth Justice to the legal aid system.

Reacting to this week’s government announcements of widespread changes to legal aid, Committee Convenor Mike Gardam said Youth Advocates would always welcome well thought-out and constructive reform of the Youth Court and its processes.

“It is important to note that the Youth Court is a specialised jurisdiction which deals with children sometimes as young as 12 and other vulnerable young persons.,” he said.

“Over the past three decades there has been a wide-ranging discussion on how best to establish an effective way of meeting youth justice needs. This has resulted in an internationally-respected youth justice system which we really do not want to see distorted without careful thought.”

Mr Gardam said Youth Advocates were chosen to work in the Youth Court by reason of their personality, cultural background, training and experience.

“Youth Court Judges are involved in the appointment process for Youth Advocates. There is a programme in place for the continuing education of Youth Advocates, and New Zealand stands to put a robust youth justice system at risk by the current attempts to link it to the legal aid system.”

Mr Gardam said that given the current furore over the announced legal aid changes, the Youth Justice Committee believed it prudent to keep the Youth Court system and the legal aid system separate.

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