Children’s Crime training module

Overview

This training module provides participants with an overview of the skills and knowledge required to practice effectively as a duty solicitor for Legal Aid NSW at the Children’s Court.

The course will provide an overview of:

• practical considerations when doing duty work in the Children’s Court
• the most important legislation to be aware of when representing young people
• child specific principles like doli incapax, and how to exclude evidence in the Children’s Court
• serious children’s indictable offences and sexual offences, and
• support services that are available at the Children’s Court.

Learning outcomes

By completing this training module, participants will:

1. be able to competently undertake Legal Aid NSW duty work in the Children’s Court.
2. make effective release applications.
3. apply relevant child-specific legislation, including the Young Offenders Act.
4. understand how to exclude evidence in the Children’s Court.
5. advocate effectively for young people.
6. understand various Children’s Court specific sentence outcomes.
7. appreciate how to deal with serious children’s indictable offences and sexual offences, and
8. be able to most effectively assist Legal Aid NSW lawyers throughout their duty appearance.

Video

Required reading

• Children’s Convictions and Criminal Records (PDF, 420KB)
• The Child Protection Register (PDF, 2.6MB)
• Paul Campbell v R [2018] NSWCCA 87 (PDF, 302KB)

Useful resources

• Criminal CPD – Children’s Court
• Child Protection Register quick reference guide (PDF, 130KB)
• I am in the Children’s Court – What the hell do I do? (PDF, 708KB)
• What do I need to know about practicing in the Children’s Court (PDF, 808KB)

Download course outline