Following the High Court ruling that treating 17-year-olds at the police station in the same way as adults is unlawful, the Association of Chief Police Officers has issued guidance to its members recommending that they offer all 17-year-olds in police custody the services of an appropriate adult with immediate effect. Professionals working with 17-year-olds in custody can rely upon this guidance when at the police station. Read the full letter here.
Petition Delivered to Downing Street
Just for Kids Law Executive Director Shauneen Lambe joined John Leech MP in supporting the parents of Joe Lawton and Edward Thornber to deliver their petition to Downing Street.
Widespread Media Coverage for High Court Challenge
Just for Kids Law's High Court challenge on Channel 4 News. This potentially life-saving case has also featured on BBC News and several radio shows as well as in The Guardian, The Independent and Children and Young People Now.
Just for Kids Law Challenge Treatment of 17 Year Olds
Just for Kids Law, in conjunction with Lawrence and Co. and Doughty Street barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher, took their case to the High Court on 26th and 27th February. Read the full press release here.
Tens of thousands of ordinary people, moved by the tragic story of Joe Lawton, have signed a petition to change the law around 17 year olds in custody. You too can help change the law and prevent any further deaths like this by signing the petition now.
Department of Education Consultation Response
Read our response to the Department of Education's proposals to amend care planning regulations for Looked After Children on remand here.
Judicial Review Response
We have been hard at work on our response to the proposed changes to Judicial Review procedures. Read the full response here.
Just for Kids Law Host Charity Tournament
The inaugural Just for Kids Law and Hodge Jones and Allen Cup pitted 20 teams of solicitors and barristers against each other in the name of charity. Read more about this successful fundraising event here.
Brenda Smashes Target
Just for Kids Law Trustee and intrepid fundraiser Brenda Campbell (wearing white in the very centre of this image) has raised a staggering £3390 through her New York marathon exploits. Wow, thank you Brenda and everyone who donated. Read Brenda's open letter to her supporters here.
Call for Change to Age of Criminal Responsibility
Just for kids Law joined over 50 other signatories in calling for an immediate change to the age of criminal responsibility in the UK. The open letter highlights logical inconsistencies in our current legislation.
Shauneen Inducted into Fellowship
Just for Kids Law Executive Director Shauneen Lambe has been recognised for her life-changing work with children and young people by the prestigious, global association of social-entrepeneurs Ashoka. She becomes one of only 17 UK entrants into the Ashoka fellowship which recognises those who seek to change the system rather than letting the system change them.
Just for Kids Law Challenge Treatment of 17 Year Olds
Executive Director Shauneen Lambe and Doughty Street barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher have been granted permission in a landmark case concerning 17 year old children in police custody.
Just for Kids Law Executive Director Shauneen Lambe has been profiled by the Law Society Gazette. Speaking of her work on Death Row, Shauneen said: ‘When a client was sentenced to death as a 17-year-old, I carried on working for five years on his case until DNA tests saw him cleared and off death row. I got to walk down the aisle with him at his sister’s wedding where I was a bridesmaid.’
Brenda Meets the Challenge
In spite of hurricane Sandy, Just for Kids Law Trustee Brenda Campbell still ran the marathon distance in New York's Central Park in a time of 4 hrs and 19 minutes. By finding an alternative solution to achieve her goal she proved herself a true Just for Kids Law Ambassador.
MET accused of ''creating crime
Just for Kids Law Policy Advisor Jen Twite spoke out against a controversial police operation that "may have encouraged people to commit crime, which is damaging both to society and to those who may not have otherwise ever received a criminal record". Read the full article here.
'Solicitor Speaks out Against Detention Plans
Just for Kids Law Community Care solicitor Rachel Knowles has challenged plans to detain unaccompanied children in secure units, labelling it a legal and moral issue. Read the full statement in Children and Young People Now here.
Stop and Search Success
Just for Kids Law brought together 16 youth and community organisations to demand change in the police use of stop and search powers. Read the open letter here and more about the campaign here
Our Executive Director - Shauneen Lambe - has written an inspirational blog about our Global Dignity project for the World Economic Forum: "By the end of October there will be a few more people in this country who will hold their heads up high and feel their own sense of dignity.
Ambassadors Display Dignity
The JfK Law Ambassadors got stuck into the task in hand by discussing What is Dignity? They are thrilled to be representing Just for Kids Law at Global Dignity Day 2012 - find out morehere
JfK Law Briefing Paper
Just for Kids Law was involved in producing “Fair Access to Justice?”, a briefing paper examining inequalities in the suport given to people with learning disabilities in court.
Every Child in Need
JfK Law is backing the Every Child in Need campaign to fight changes to the legal framework that protects the most vulnerable children in society. Our Education and Community Care solicitor Rachel contributed to this joint response to the government consultation. Find out more here.
Ambassador's Clean Sweep
JfK Law Ambasador Firase had a June to remember, first speaking at the Women in Technology event at the House of Lords and then receiving a Team London award from Bojo himself! Well done Firase!
Shauneen Inspires the North
The JfK Law training roadshow continued apace with one Stoke trainee tweeting afterwards: "Inspired by the focus and drive of the staff from Just for Kids Law. Find out more here.
We love Art Car Boot Fair!
JfK Law Ambassadors Dylan and Tamzin got to meet Jarvis Cocker, we raised a load of money and we even got a mention in Elle Magazine.
Why charities must collaborate to maximise limited resources
Joel Carter, our Programme Manager, has written an article for The Guardian about collaborating when resources are scarce. Read the full piece here.
Case Study on BBC Radio
One of our Education and Community Care Solicitor's cases was on BBC Radio on 16th May, which discussed whether a sibling carer should be classed as a foster carer. To listen to the phone-in show, click here.
Art Car Boot Fair and Handbag Disco
Enjoy a fun afternoon at the Art Car Boot Fair in Brick Lane and get your groove on at the Handbag Disco on the 27th May. All profits go to Just for Kids Law. For details click here or download the press release here (PDF file).
Britain's 50 New Radicals
We are proud to announce that Shauneen Lambe, Executive Director of JfK Law, has been chosen as one of the NESTA/The Observer's 50 New Radicals - people and organisations who are changing britain for the better. To read the full list of those chosen click here.
The importance of using registered intermediaries
Shauneen Lambe, Director of JfK Law, and Felicity Williams from Tooks Chambers discuss defendants and the use of registered intermediaries in an article published on CrimeLine Updater. To read the article click here.
Sophie's story on BBC News
Just for Kids Law have helped a large number of young people illegally excluded from school. To read a success story please click here.
Just for Kids Law and Hodge Jones & Allen - a new partnership
From February 2012, Just for Kids Law will have an additional office based at Hodge Jones and Allen's building in North London. In a press release, Shauneen Lambe, Founder and Executive Director of JfK Law said that, 'In partnership we can provide the most vulnerable North London children with the help needed to live a more fulfilling life'. Read the full press release here.
Making criminals of children
Shauneen Lambe, Director of JfK Law, discusses how the British justice system is making criminals of children in this article published on Open Democracy. Read the full article here.
Open letter on the minimum age of criminal responsibility
This open letter was sent to the Editor of The Times and published on Monday 16th January 2012. It raises concerns about the minimum age of criminal responsibility, which at 10 years old is too low.
UK breaching UN convention?
Shauneen Lambe, Director of JfK Law, questions whether the UK breaches the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in this article published on Open Democracy. Read the full article here.
The Guardian Christmas Charity Appeal
We are excited to announce that we are one of the 8 charities chosen for this year's Guardian Appeal. To read more and support us in any way you can click here.
London Riots: Youth Side of the Story
Young people share their views on the reasons for the riots. Read the online panel discussion summary here.
Response to the unrest in London and other cities
“While the harm caused by events in London cannot be justified we would be foolish, as a society, not to listen to the underlying message. There are many young people in this city who feel like outsiders; they are voiceless, they have few opportunities and no positive activities. Unless we try to include, rather than exclude, we will continue to create an outcast generation.” Shauneen Lambe, Director.
Shauneen Lambe receives a Shackleton Leadership Award
The Shackleton Foundation supports inspirational leaders wishing to make a difference, in particular to the less advantaged. A grant has been awarded to Shauneen to help achieve the aims of the Strategic Litigation Project.
“We believe Shauneen Lambe to be in Shackelton’s image, a born leader with an innovative vision and the skills and perseverance to forge a new path.” William Shipton, Shackleton Foundation Chairman
The Strategic Litigation project was launched in January 2011 and is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Shackleton Foundation. Headed up by Shauneen Lambe the project is primarily about taking cases which have wide reaching impact so the outcome has a positive benefit for a large number of children and young people not just the individual for whom the litigation is being taken. Please contact us if you would like more information about this project.
Dynamic duo raise money for JfK Law
We want to say a big thank you to Frankie and Nolly who have become our youngest fundraisers and raised an impressive £250 for our Hardship Fund. The speedy duo wore their JfK Law t-shirts on Sunday 22nd May 2011 to take part in the Crouch End fun run. The Hardship Fund provides grants of up to £250 to help pay for essential items. See here for more information.
The Longford Prize is an annual award in honour of Lord Longford, the high profile prison reformer who died in 2001. The prize is awarded to those working in the field of social or penal reform who have shown outstanding qualities of humanity, courage, persistence and originality. Read more
We are extremely honoured to have Baroness Helena Kennedy QC as our new Patron. She is not only a leading barrister and Queen's Counsel but is also an expert in human rights law, civil liberties and constitutional issues. Read more
In a letter printed in the Times, Just for Kids Law has joined the voices of other charities and practioners to ask for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised. Read more
Shauneen Lambe, Director of the Charity "Just For Kids Law", has been honoured by being recognised as one of the Young Global Leaders of 2010. Read more
Just for Kids Law brought together 16 youth and community organisations to demand change in the police use of stop and search powers. Read the open letter 
We want to say a big thank you to Frankie and Nolly who have become our youngest fundraisers and raised an impressive £250 for our Hardship Fund. The speedy duo wore their JfK Law t-shirts on Sunday 22nd May 2011 to take part in the Crouch End fun run. The Hardship Fund provides grants of up to £250 to help pay for essential items.