Children must not be denied legal representation during solicitors’ strike over legal aid
Sir, – While we acknowledge the pressing issues that have prompted some legal-aid solicitors to withdraw their services , we write to express our concern that the most serious impact has been to leave those under 18 years without legal representation when facing criminal charges in court (“ Teenagers appear in court without legal representation due to solicitors strike ,” News, September 10th). While legal representation is a basic right in any rights-based justice system, children’s young age and maturity make it an especially critical protection for them. Despite best efforts of judges in such cases, injustices will result when life-defining decisions are made about children without any legal protection in place. They are among the most vulnerable in our society, so depriving children of legal protection when in conflict with the law – both in court and more widely – will only exacerbate their disadvantage. The situation also affects the victims of crime, who may also be children. We urge the striking solicitors to ensure that no child is denied legal representation during this withdrawal of services. We equally urge the Minister for Justice to ensure that children before court are not further disadvantaged during this process. – Yours, etc, PROF URSULA KILKELLY, PROF NESSA LYNCH, LOUISE FORDE, KATHARINA SWIRAK, University College Cork.