NCJ Number
179524
Journal
Lay Panel Magazine Volume: 41 Dated: April 1999 Pages: 2-36
Editor(s)
W. G. McCarney
Date Published
1999
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This issue of Lay Panel Magazine contains an editorial on the British Human Rights Act of 1998, reviews the proceedings of the Fifteenth World Congress and General Assembly of the International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates, describes the Children's Court system in Northern Ireland, presents a paper on aggressive behavior in childhood, and provides a review of criminal justice in Northern Ireland.
Abstract
The British Human Rights Act of 1998 incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) and makes it part of English domestic law and law-making processes. From the date of implementation of the act, which is expected to be in approximately 18 months, the ECHR can be used in arguments in domestic courts. An editorial reviews the components of the Human Rights Act and discusses its implications for Lay Magistrates in Northern Ireland. The main theme of the Fifteenth World Congress and General Assembly of the International Association of Youth and Family Judges was "Youth and Social Changes: New Challenges for Justice, Politics, and Society." After a number of speakers focused on various aspects of the theme, discussions were held in various committees and linguistic groups; a number of recommendations and resolutions were adopted by Congress at the final plenary session. The main issues before the General Assembly were to debate and approve or reject the new statutes and to elect Council members to hold office for the next 4 years. An overview of the court structure in Northern Ireland is followed by a description of the processing of young offenders in Northern Ireland. Attention is given to the diversion of youth from crime and the criminal justice system through Children's Panels and police cautioning schemes. A review of the causes and interventions for childhood aggression is followed by a response of the Northern Ireland Youth and Family Courts Association to the Consultation Paper on the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland. Comments are restricted to those areas of the review that impact directly on children and youth.