AG: 197 children volunteers trained

The Family and Children’s Bill was passed in the House on June 10 and June 21 in the Senate.

Al-Rawi said President Anthony Carmona assented to the bill on July 5 and it is awaiting proclamation. He noted that peer resolution is a programme that will be adjunct to the Children’s Court, in which children hold their peers accountable for minor offences, using court-like procedures.

Al-Rawi said the objective is to encourage, “civic-mindedness” and build teamwork, communication and analytical skills among volunteers in the programme.

He said that 20 of the 197 volunteers, embarked on a study tour of youth and teen courts in the US in August. The volunteers sat in on juvenile court cases and interacted with senior judges.

Al-Rawi said guiding principles and standards of representation for children have been developed, “to set forth a standard of practice to ensure zealous and constitutionally effective representation of children before all courts and tribunals in TT.” He explained that these principles and standards, which will soon be circulated for comment by members of the Bar, aim to promote uniformity of practice for attorneys who represent children.

Al-Rawi said two buildings have been identified to house operations of the Central Coordinating Unit of the Family and Children Division and the Children Court sub-division in North and South.

He said the facility in South is currently being outfitted and is expected to be completed by April 23. “The decision to proceed with the North building is currently before the Cabinet,” the AG said.