Section 323 — Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989: Appointment of Youth Advocate to represent child or young person

323 Appointment of Youth Advocate to represent child or young person (1) Where a child or young person appears before a Youth Court charged with an offence, then unless— (a) The child or young person is already represented by a barrister or solicitor in those proceedings; or (b) The Court is satisfied that legal representation has been arranged, or will be arranged, for that child or young person in those proceedings,— the Court shall appoint a barrister or solicitor to represent that child or young person in those proceedings. (2) Where the Court appoints a barrister or solicitor under subsection (1) of this section, it shall, so far as practicable, appoint a barrister or solicitor who is, by reason of personality, cultural background, training, and experience, suitably qualified to represent the child or young person. (3) Where,— (a) Pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the Court is required to appoint a barrister or solicitor to represent a child or young person in any proceedings; and (b) A Youth Advocate has been appointed to represent the child or young person in any previous proceedings,— the Court shall, where possible, appoint that Youth Advocate to represent the child or young person in the later proceedings.