| Abstract: | In court cases involving children the child is often a party to proceedings and is thus entitled to Legal Aid and representation by a solicitor. This representation of the child happens not just in youth courts under the Criminal Justice Act 1991 but also in Family Courts in proceedings under the Children Act 1989. This article looks at how a solicitor ascertains whether a child client is competent to give instructions and offers information on the techniques employed by the solicitor in communicating with the child, especially in proceedings under the Children Act. |
