The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) stresses that protections must account for children’s evolving capacities — the process by which they acquire competencies, understanding, and agency. In 2019, the CRC recommended a minimum age of criminal responsibility of at least 14. This webinar gives an overview of a peer reviewed article published by the presenters. The paper argues that the pandemic’s impact on development requires the CRC to revisit this guidance and consider a ‘developmental immaturity defence’ to better protect children who are now more vulnerable. The analysis will focus on the United Kingdom. 

This work is aimed at anyone interested in children’s development, particularly within the context of youth justice.   

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