The new chairwoman of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has called for a wide-ranging review of the treatment of young people within the criminal justice system.


Sally O'Neill QC, who took over from Andy Hall QC this week, said the use of Crown Courts such as the Old Bailey to try defendants as young as ten seemed inappropriate and outmoded.



She added that - at a time of heightened public concern over youth crime - policymakers needed to look again at the way the system treated young witnesses, victims and defendants.



Ms O'Neill, who is a member of London set Furnival Chambers, also affirmed her commitment to the maintenance of a strong and independent criminal bar.



'We want to ensure that the resourcing of advocacy, as a distinct and critical component of the criminal justice system, is ring-fenced and targeted directly at those with the skills to present complex trials, in which society at large has a considerable stake,' she said.



Ms O'Neill was called to the bar in 1976, took silk in 1997, and sits as a recorder in the Crown Court.



Catherine Baksi