Recommendation 24

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every area of the criminal justice system, including youth justice. The Committee appreciate that Covid-19 has presented 50 Children and Young People in Custody (Part 1): Entry into the youth justice system the youth courts with numerous challenges. Delays affect all participants in court proceedings; defendants awaiting trial will spend longer in custody on remand or on bail in the community, and victims will wait longer for justice. We invite the Ministry of Justice to set out the number of outstanding cases in the youth courts and what steps are being taken to ensure that cases are dealt with expeditiously.