NI: Children to be remanded as ‘last resort’ under new legislation
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Naomi Long
Children facing criminal trial will only be remanded into custody as a “last resort” under proposed legislation to be brought before Stormont next year.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said a number of changes to bail and remand legislation for children would be included in the Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
Writing in response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin MLA Seán Lynch, Mrs Long confirmed that the bill would be introduced “in the New Year”.
The changes will “try and address the significant number of children who are admitted to custody on remand but who do not, ultimately, serve a custodial sentence”.
She explained: “These proposals aim to strengthen the right to bail for children, and introduce specific conditions which must be met before a child can be remanded into custody, with a view to ensuring that custody is used as a last resort, in line with our international obligations.”
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