Out of Hearing : Representing Children in Court

The form and content of court proceedings is generally considered unsuitable for children, who tend only to be present when absolutely necessary, as offenders or witnesses. Therefore, much of children's involvement in care proceedings takes place outside of the courtroom. Built around a research study exploring the law and practice of representation and particularly how the relationships between guardians, solicitors, courts and local authorities shape the representation provided for abused and neglected children, this book examines the various professional approaches to the place of children in the proceedings and then contrasts them with the views of the children themselves. It examines potential policy and practice changes that would enable children's views to be heard more effectively, and offers insight into children's understanding of their involvement in the legal process. It informs debates about the structure of the guardian ad litem service, and its need for legal services and training for lawyers appearing in court cases.