Juvenile Court

The Juvenile Court deals with applications made by the Department of Health and Social Security regarding the care of persons under the age of 18 years.

Respondents or parties in care proceedings (e.g. parents) will receive a copy of the application endorsed with the time and date of the court appearance. Respondents are advised to consider getting legal representation in such cases

How do I get to court?

The courthouse is located on Deemsters Walk, just off Bucks Road. 

What do I do when I get to court?

Please turn up to court promptly and, if possible, shortly before the time stated on this sheet.

When you arrive at the courthouse you will have to go through security. Once you have passed through security, you should go to the main courthouse reception. The receptionist will tell you which courtroom your case is in and where to wait.

When it is time for your case to be heard, the court usher will call you. You will be shown to the appropriate place, where you will remain while your case is heard by the Magistrates. 

Who will be in the courtroom?

• Magistrates

• court clerk

• court usher

• advocates for each party

• the other parties

• the advocate appointed on behalf of the child/children

• the guardian ad litem (independent expert appointed to represent the best interests of the child/children).

It is very unusual for a child, being the subject of the proceedings, to be present in the court in this type of case. An older teenager may wish to be present but the permission of the court would need to be given for this to occur.

What should I call the judge?

The Magistrates are referred to as Your Worships or if addressing the chairman of the bench (the magistrate in the middle) "Sir" or "Madam". 

How should I behave in court?

Please switch off or silence your mobile phone or pager before coming into the courtroom. Items such as video cameras, tape recorders, radios or other electronic equipment are not allowed in the court room.

You must stand while addressing the judge, or if they are addressing you, unless you are seated in the witness box. When you are standing, do not fold your arms across your chest or put your hands in your pockets. You must be polite at all times, never shout or use vulgar expressions or interrupt someone else while they are speaking. You must remain calm; everyone will get their turn to speak. Do not interrupt the judge; be aware if you are rude to the judge, you may be charged with contempt of court.

If you wish to hand any documents to the judge you must ask for permission. You must then hand them to the court clerk or usher, who will then pass them to the judge. 

What happens in the courtroom?

These types of proceedings can be complicated and therefore it is advisable for persons appearing in the court as a party to the proceedings to be legally represented by an advocate. If persons are representing themselves, the court will explain the procedure that will be followed at the hearing.

Please be aware that, under section 27(4) of the High Court Act 1991, all court proceedings are digitally recorded. For further information please refer to our In-Court Technology section.

One function of the Juvenile Court is for those under the age of 17 years accused of a criminal offence which is to be heard at court.

When you are required to come to a Juvenile Court, you will have received a summons or a charge sheet, detailing what you are accused of, together with the time and date of your court appearance. 

How do I get to court?

The courthouse is located on Deemsters Walk, just off Bucks Road.  

What do I do when I get to Court?

Please turn up to court promptly and, if possible, shortly before the time stated on the charge sheet or summons. You will need to be accompanied by an adult. This will usually be your parent or guardian.

When you arrive at the courthouse you will have to go through security. Once you have passed through security you should go to the main courthouse reception. The receptionist will tell you which courtroom your case is in and where to wait.

You may wish to see the duty advocate. There is a qualified advocate on hand to speak to you and this service is free of charge. You should tell the court usher if you do wish to speak with the duty advocate. If you have your own advocate and wish to see them, you should let the court know and they will arrange for you to see him/her.

When it is time for your case to be heard, the court usher will call your name. You and your parent or guardian will be shown to an appropriate place in court, where you will remain while your case is heard by the Magistrates. 

What will I have to do in court?

Once your case begins, you will be asked to confirm your name and address. Your parent or guardian will also be asked to confirm their details. 

Who will be in the courtroom?

• Magistrates (no more than 3)

• advocates (for you and the prosecution and for others appearing that day)

• media reporters (newspaper/radio etc.)

• court clerk

• court usher

• dock officer

• any other person who has been given specific permission to be present.

Although the Juvenile Court is a ‘closed court’, the press can report on matters, but usually press restrictions prevent the publication of details which would be likely to identify a juvenile appearing before the court. 

What should I call the judges?

The Magistrates are addressed as 'Your Worships’ or the chairman of the bench (i.e. the Magistrate in the middle) as "sir" or "madam". 

How should I behave in court?

Please switch off or silence your mobile phone or pager before coming into the courtroom. Items such as video cameras, tape recorders, radios or other electronic equipment are not allowed in the courtroom.

You must stand while addressing the judge or if they are addressing you, unless you are seated in the witness box. When you are standing, do not fold your arms across your chest or put your hands in your pockets. You must be polite at all times, never shout or use vulgar expressions or interrupt someone else while they are speaking. You must remain calm; everyone will get their turn to speak. Do not interrupt the judge; be aware if you are rude to the judge you may be charged with contempt of court.

If you wish to hand any documents to the judge you must as for permission. You must then hand them to the court clerk or usher, who will then pass them to the judge. 

What happens in the courtroom?

The prosecution and defence advocates will set out their arguments. They may also call and question any witnesses that they want to.

If you wish to give your evidence, you must be sworn in, unless you are under 14. To do this you will be asked to take the oath on a Holy Book of your religion, or you can affirm (promise) to tell the truth (the court clerk will usually check will usually check with you before court which you want to do). You must read aloud from the oath/affirmation card. If you have trouble reading the card, the court usher will read it to you, with you repeating what they say.

• The defence advocate will go first

• The prosecution advocate will then ask you any questions they wish to (cross examination)

• The defence advocate will then have the chance to ask you any further questions they may have

• The Magistrates may then ask you any questions they wish.

If you have pleaded guilty, the prosecution advocate will give the facts of the case to the court. The case may need to be adjourned to another day so that a member of the Youth Justice Team can meet with you to prepare a report for the court. If a report is not needed, or has already been prepared, your advocate will then address the court giving mitigation (any excuse or reason for you committing the offence and any other relevant matters).

Once your advocate has finished speaking to the court, you, and your parent or guardian, will be asked whether there us anything you wish to say to the court. 

What happens after the hearing?

If your case has been adjourned to another day, you may be granted bail, with or without conditions, or remanded to accommodation provided by the Department of Health and Social Security, or remanded to secure accommodation/custody. If you are granted bail, you must sign a bail bond before you leave court.

If your case is finally determined, you will be told of any punishment imposed and any requirements ordered by the court.

Please be aware that, under section 27(4) of the High Court Act 1991, all court proceedings are digitally recorded. For further information please refer to our In-Court Technology section.

If you are a witness in a Juvenile Court case, you will be asked to come to court either by the prosecution or the defence. Whoever asked you to come as a witness will tell you the date and time you need to be in court. There may be other witnesses in court as well as you.

• are a party to the case

• have seen or heard something in connection with the case

• have information about someone who is a party to the case.

If you are considered as a vulnerable witness, special arrangements may have been made for you to give evidence: for example, by video link. Such arrangements need to have been made well in advance of the hearing. If you are in any doubt about this, you should speak to the advocate who is calling you to give evidence, well in advance of the case. 

What should I do when I come to Court?

You should then report to the courthouse reception. The duty receptionist will inform you which courtroom your matter is in and where to wait.

Who will be in the courtroom?

You should expect to see the following people in the courtroom:

• Magistrates (no more than 3)

• the defendant

• witnesses

• advocates

• media reporters (newspaper/radio etc.)

• court clerk

• court usher

• dock officer

• any other person who has been given specific permission to be present.

Although the Juvenile Court is a ‘closed court’, the press can report on matters, but usually press restrictions prevent the publication of details which would be likely to identify a juvenile appearing before the court. 

What should I call the judges?

The Magistrates are addressed as "Your Worships" or the chairman of the bench (i.e. the Magistrate in the middle) as "sir" or "madam". 

How should I behave in court?

Please switch off or silence your mobile phone or pager before coming into the courtroom. Items such as video cameras, tape recorders, radios or other electronic equipment are not allowed in the courtroom.

You must stand while giving evidence. If you wish to be seated in the witness box rather than standing, you may be able to gain the permission of the Magistrates to do so depending in your reasons. When you are standing, do not fold your arms across your chest or put your hands in your pockets. You must be polite at all times, never shout or use vulgar expressions or interrupt someone else while they are speaking. You must remain calm; everyone will get their turn to speak. Do not interrupt the judge; be aware if you are rude to the judge you may be charged with contempt of court.

If you wish to hand any documents to the judge you must as for permission. You must then hand them to the court clerk or usher, who will then pass them to the advocates in the case and the judge. 

What will I have to do in court?

Once you have been called into court, the court usher will guide you to the witness box. You will be asked to either swear the oath on a Holy Book of your religion, or you can affirm (promise) to tell the truth. If you have any trouble reading the oath/affirmation card the court usher will read it to you, you must repeat what they say.

You will then be asked a series of questions by the party, or the advocate, who has asked you to be a witness on their behalf. Once they have finished, the other party/parties or their advocate(s) will also ask you a series of questions. This is called cross-examination. Try to speak clearly and answer any questions directly.

The first party or advocate will then be given an opportunity to ask further questions. This is called re-examination. Finally the Magistrates may ask you questions.

When you have finished giving your evidence, you will be told by the Magistrates that you can be excused and you can either leave the court or, with the permission of the court, sit in the courtroom until the court session is finished.

Please be aware that, under section 27(4) of the High Court Act 1991, all court proceedings are digitally recorded. For further information please refer to our In-Court Technology section.