Essential, in-person, 1-day training for lawyers representing children in the criminal legal system.

Representing Child Clients: Fordingbridge and practical training delivered with children

When: Saturday 19 September 2026, 10.00am–4.00pm

Where: The Bar Council, 289–293 High Holborn, London WC1V 7HZ

Cost: £120 | £60 for YJLC members

Why this training matters

Representing children requires specialist legal knowledge and a distinct set of highly developed skills.

This practical, in-person training will give you the confidence, knowledge and tools to represent child clients effectively and ethically. Delivered by leading youth justice lawyers in collaboration with children and young people, it goes beyond black-letter law to focus on how to practise youth justice well.

What previous attendees have said

“This training combines teaching the law with practical advice and the unique opportunity to implement that in a scenario with real children. Hugely beneficial and bridges a gap otherwise unaddressed in formal training.”

Attendee, February 2026

“The training was very insightful and really opened my eyes to representing child clients. Having the opportunity to practise with children and hear their feedback was invaluable.”

Attendee, June 2026

What you will learn

The training provides practical guidance across key areas of youth justice law and practice:

Communicating with children

Delivered in collaboration with children, this session uses practical exercises to help you communicate complex and difficult concepts in ways children can understand, enabling them to participate meaningfully in their case.

Legal training focuses heavily on knowing the law, but far less attention is given to working effectively with clients—particularly children. This course helps to address that gap.

Learning from young people with lived experience

Drawing on interviews with young people who have experienced prosecution, this session explores what makes a good lawyer for children—directly from the people who know best.

Representing children accused of serious sexual offences

The Court of Appeal’s decision in Fordingbridge is one of the most significant recent judgments for lawyers representing children.

This specialist module will help practitioners understand its practical impact and confidently apply the latest legal principles when advising and representing children accused of serious sexual offences.

Key areas of learning include:

The Court of Appeal’s decision in Fordingbridge and its practical implications

The legal framework governing serious sexual offences committed by children

Sentencing principles, mitigation and advocacy following Fordingbridge

A practical case study exploring common issues faced by practitioners

Professional standards and the changing landscape

The SRA and BSB already require lawyers representing children to have specialist knowledge and skills that are kept up to date.

The Government’s 2026 Youth Justice White Paper recognises that representing children is complex work requiring specific skills and experience. It identifies mandatory specialist training for lawyers representing children as a key reform to improve the quality and consistency of youth justice advocacy.

This training provides timely, practical support to help practitioners meet their current professional obligations and prepare for the new standards that will shape the future of youth justice practice.

About YJLC

YJLC is the recognised centre of excellence in youth justice law in England and Wales. We improve outcomes for children in the criminal legal system by sharing expertise, developing best practice and driving innovation across the profession.

About the facilitator

The training will be facilitated by Shauneen Lambe, barrister, co-founder of Just for Kids Law, Director of the Youth Justice Legal Centre and Coordinator of the UK-wide Child Law Network.

Shauneen is recognised as a leading expert in children’s law and has successfully changed the law on four occasions to improve children’s lives. She is also co-author of Youth Justice Law and Practice.

Membership Cost

Individual membership - £150 per annum

Organisational membership (firm or chambers) – starts at £400 per annum and all members of chambers / staff can access the YJLC member benefits

Email info@yjlc.uk to arrange membership.

Description supplied by the event organiser.