Blog
Adolescence: The ordinary family’s worst nightmare
Rebecca Smart
Our experienced youth crime lawyers are committed to understanding your child and finding a solution that protects their reputation. Applying the law to children and young people is a specialist area of law. We have considerable experience and demonstrated success in ensuring that their age, lack of willingness to communicate and curiosity are not misinterpreted as illegality.
A call to say your son or daughter is in trouble with the law is something every parent fears. We understand that young people make mistakes and that immaturity sometimes results in errors of judgement. We believe that such misjudgements should not result in a permanent mark against a young person’s character.
Our youth crime lawyers are formally trained and experienced in building rapport and trust with your child so that they feel confident in giving instructions and understanding the advice they receive. We view you as an essential partner in the process and value your input in resolving your child’s case.
Achieving the best outcome for our clients
Some young people think that offences committed while under 18 years old are wiped from their record when they become adults. This is not true. A record will always be kept which can be disclosed at the discretion of the police in the future. UCAS and college applications routinely ask for information about convictions and cautions which can be determinative in securing and retaining your child’s place in education. Our representation is targeted at avoiding arrest and conviction and thereby limiting the impact on your child’s future prospects.
Like you, we understand that there is a lot more to your child than the isolated issue that brings them into contact with the youth justice system. By engaging one of our specialist youth crime lawyers, you give your son or daughter the best opportunity to safely navigate this complex area of law.
We understand that young people do not think like adults and often cannot foresee the consequences of their actions. Sometimes their reticence makes it difficult to give an innocent explanation for what has happened. We are able to support them in doing this to ensure the law does not mistakenly define their immaturity as youth crime.
We achieve the best outcome by forcing the police and others involved in the youth justice system to apply common sense to your child’s situation. This includes finding the least onerous outcome which may be as simple as an apology. We will always look for innovative alternatives to prosecution that avoid a criminal record. In addition to addressing the immediate crisis, our lawyers aim to equip your child with information and skills that diminish the likelihood of future contact with the criminal justice system.
WHAT directories, CLIENTS AND THEIR PARENTS HAVE SAID about us
Sandra always knows what to do in difficult situations and delivers the most perfect, measured advice."
Chambers UK 2025
The team has been responsive, professional and considerate. They demonstrate that they have the expertise in both theory and practice, and their insight is invaluable."
Chambers UK 2025
Highly collaborative and team based in everything they do. Friendly and down to earth while also being world class. Uniquely able to bring together the brightest and the best but without being pompous or superior in their attitude. Great listeners, hard workers and tactically the best in the business."
Legal 500 UK
I just wanted to express my profound thanks for your input at the very start of this process. It was obvious that [my son] felt a tremendous sense of reassurance knowing that you were there to provide advice and support, and I think the trouble you took to provide sympathetic and constructive advice was invaluable. I wanted to express my thanks to you because I witnessed at first-hand what a difference your input made. As a solicitor myself, I was able to reflect on the fundamental importance of client care, and on the fantastic job you did."
Parent of one of our clients
I think it would be hard to over-state the sense of reassurance that [my son] got from your advice and – most importantly – from the way in which you gave it. You were authoritative and sympathetic, and, crucially, you were available whenever he needed your input. All of your communications with him seemed to reflect a real effort on your part to see things from his perspective, and all of the advice was delivered in a language that he really understood. I’m not exaggerating when I say that your input really was one of the main things which helped him to get through the whole business."
Parent of one of our clients
In dealing with the firm, every aspect was outstanding and of the highest quality."
Chambers UK
KN are exceptional in almost all categories! They are streaks ahead of everyone else and provide a very high level of service. If I were in trouble that’s where I would go. I like the fact they are genuinely committed to providing excellence even on less lucrative cases or on cases of less seriousness. They completely get how serious every case is for a client . They unfailing do the very best for their clients."
Legal 500 UK
A dynamic team that shows good attention to detail."
Chambers UK
"Getting in touch with you was the best and single most important step in coping with this situation."
"You respected the age of your client in your calm but firm and honest dealing with [my child]."
"I would not wish my family’s recent experience on anyone but I would view anyone lucky enough to secure your services extremely fortunate."
Parent of one of our clients
“The minute I spoke to Sandra I knew we were in safe hands. So professional yet created a very relaxed environment for my son."
Parent of one of our clients
"Gosh I can finally smile again. Thank you so much.”
Client
"[My child and I] are both ever so grateful for having crossed paths with you…you were such a pleasure to work with, you so ably guided us through and were an amazing support to us."
Parent of one of our clients
"Thank you very much for all your work on this case – we as a family are very appreciative of your help and support. You helped us at a very difficult time and we are still grateful. [Our child] has certainly come out of it as well as can be expected and I think he is determined to become a Rock Star solicitor having met you all! He still thinks you are one of the coolest people he’s ever met!"
Parent of one of our clients
"I was absolutely thrilled [with the outcome] and it has felt like a big weight off my shoulders. These past 4 months have been absolutely horrendous, but ameliorated by being able to rely on all of you to chat and answer questions (however silly). Many thanks to all of you for your hard work. Just saying thank you, feels a trifle insufficient given the gravitas of the situation but I do really mean it."
Client
"I am of course very fortunate that my parents had pulled together the resources so I could have my own solicitor, had this not been possible my future would have been very different."
Client
[Our child] will head back to Uni next week and the difference in his mood and outlook is heart-warming. The future is looking bright again."
Parent of one of our clients
"We cannot thank you enough for all the support, guidance and expertise not to mention the shocking yet amazing outcome."
Parent of one of our clients
"Your professional approach was incredibly reassuring to us as we were going through a very difficult time. We are so grateful for all the help and support you gave [our child] and ourselves at that time and would unequivocally recommend you to parents and teenagers going through similar situations. "
Parent of one of our clients
They stand out because of their ability to stop a case before it gets started. Their commitment, preparation and tenacity set them apart."
Chambers UK
Further information about youth crime and justice
Please see our page on frequently asked questions about youth crime and our youth crime blogs for further information and regular updates.
Should you have any questions, please contact our team of youth crime lawyers in confidence or call us on +44 (0)20 7814 1200.
Ed Smyth
Partner
Greg Foxsmith
Legal Director
Anna Holmes
Senior Associate
Edward Jones
Senior Associate
Maeve Keenan
Senior Associate
Áine Kervick
Senior Associate
Rebecca Smart
Senior Associate
Sophie Tang
Senior Associate
Emily Elliott
Associate
Fiona Haddadeen
Associate
Laura Kruczynska
Associate (CILEx Lawyer)
Leena Lakhani
Associate (Barrister)
Tom Surr
Associate
Simran Tatla
Associate
Alice Trotter
Associate
Georgina Woodward
Associate
The KN team are one of the best known, oldest and highly regarded teams in this area of work. They get first rate work and deliver excellent results."
Legal 500 UK
"Sandra Paul is something of a legend."
Chambers UK 2025
The lawyers on the crime team are relentlessly good at what they do. They have a collaborative approach and are incredibly thorough and detailed in their work."
Chambers UK
The care, consideration and professionalism which [our child] was treated with by you, meant what could have been potentially a life changing experience was one where he felt informed, understood and less frightened. I will never be able to thank you enough."
Parent of one of our clients
Latest blogs & news
Adolescence: The ordinary family’s worst nightmare
As we await the release of the Netflix series Adolescence this evening by award winning writer Jack Thorne, I am interested to see how the series will deal with very real, yet often publicly unheard problems of how our criminal justice system, in particular the police, manage children who are alleged to have committed serious offences.
Does anyone care about us?
Research reveals overwhelmingly negative experiences of the care system for victims and perpetrators of youth violence.
In March 2023, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) commissioned research on the lived experiences of those who have committed – or experienced – serious youth violence. The findings were published alongside HMICFRS’s report into the policing of these issues and as cross-disciplinary calls increase for a rethink of how serious youth violence is tackled. In a follow-up to his previous blog, Paul Egunjobi looks at the findings.
The impact and future of violence reduction units
On 8th March 2023, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published a report examining how well the police tackle serious youth violence. We look at the report and one of the issues it has highlighted: how Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) are used, and how effectively the police work with VRUs and other partner organisations.
In the wrong place at the wrong time
Long delays are an all-too familiar part of the criminal justice system. As highlighted in the recent case of BH v Norwich Youth Court, those delays can have a significant impact on young people, particularly when a defendant turns 18 during the long process. An imminent change in the law may improve the situation but there are wider issues to be solved, too. Partner Sandra Paul and paralegal Emma McGrath look at the issues.
Consent – a missed opportunity for an important discussion
Channel 4’s, Consent, appeared to be a show with something to say; a show that would draw attention to the complexity of sexual allegations involving school aged children as well as the emotional trauma for all caught in its wake.
The Online Safety Bill: What do the latest updates mean for companies and senior managers?
The Online Safety Bill hit the headlines last week, following its third and final reading in the House of Commons on 17 January 2023. Since its early stages the Bill has provoked an ongoing debate between social media safety groups, who call for the law to do more to protect children, and civil liberties campaigners, who argue that the proposed legislation impinges on the freedom of speech. The latest proposed amendment would make senior managers criminally liable for platforms’ persistent failure to protect children online. Magda Zima considers the potentially wide-ranging impact of this amendment on both companies and senior individuals.
My child has a conviction for a sexual offence, what happens next? Notification requirements and ancillary orders for children convicted of a sexual offence
This blog follows the virtual launch of the Youth Justice Legal Centre Legal Guide on children facing sexual offences. During this event, Maeve Keenan discussed Kingsley Napley's contribution to the report, including recommendations on how to appropriately handle these complex cases and protect the child's welfare.
Help! The police are arresting my child …
It’s the knock on the door that parent fear, or is it just me? Thankfully, the Courts have provided some valuable guidance about this nightmare scenario.
There are many reasons the police may want to speak to your child, but few occasions where the reason might be urgent enough to justify an unannounced visit and an arrest.
Outcome 22: is the use of this Outcome a ‘postcode lottery’ for children in the UK criminal justice system?
In this blog, we discuss what new police data reveals about the use of Outcome 22 three years after its introduction and the startling disparity of its use by different forces.
Being accused of sexual misconduct when you are a child
As a criminal defence solicitor specialising in defending allegations of sexual misconduct and representing children, the perfect storm that has erupted since the launch of Everyone’s Invited has made me privy to some of the saddest and most distraught children I have ever advised.
Regressive approaches to sentencing will not help children or society
The head of the Youth Justice Board has rightly criticised the Government’s plans to raise child custodial sentences. At a time when England and Wales falls behind most European countries in protecting children with the lowest age of criminal responsibility (10), it is inexplicable that the Government is taking a further regressive step by seeking to increase the length of time that children must spend in prison.
Youth Justice: Is reform on the way for young people who turn 18 while in the criminal justice system?
Children under 18 years old are afforded a number of special protections by virtue of the fact that they are children in the eyes of the law. These protections fall away when an individual turns 18 and they are legally considered an ‘adult’. For defendants who cross the threshold into adulthood during the criminal process, the impact of reaching this milestone can be profound.
Tackling Racial Injustice: Children and the Youth Justice System
Today JUSTICE has published the latest working party report ‘Tackling Racial Injustice: Children and the Youth Justice System’. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to chair the working party that produced this report. The report makes practical recommendations to reduce BAME disproportionality in the Youth Justice System (YJS) of England and Wales.
Outcome 22: are the police utilising this important diversionary tool or leaving it on the shelf?
David Lammy’s landmark review of racial bias in the Criminal Justice System (‘CJS’), made many key recommendations to help improve trust and fairness in the CJS when it was published in 2017. One of which was to expand the use of the deferred prosecution for adults and young offenders.
Student misconduct allegations and the right to a fair hearing
The temptation to approach the adjudication of a student complaint as merely an ‘internal process’, is one of the most common errors made by some higher education institutions. The process adopted must be capable of examination by an independent and external eye to ensure that at each stage of the process, the rights of all individuals involved are protected.
How Universities should investigate a complaint under the disciplinary procedure
Once an allegation is made against a student (or member of academic staff), either by another student, a member of staff or someone outside the university, it is important that that the University takes stock of the issue and acts carefully to ensure fairness to all parties.
The first crucial steps: how Universities should respond to allegations of misconduct
University providers owe a duty of care towards staff members and students; this duty takes on particular significance during a disciplinary process and it is essential that Universities provide appropriate and relevant information and support to all parties involved in allegations of misconduct.
Getting it right from the start: University policies for dealing with non-academic misconduct complaints
What happens when a complaint is made to a University about the conduct of a student or a member of academic staff? What should the procedures for the resolution of these complaints look like and how can all parties be reassured that such allegations will be resolved fairly?
I May Destroy You, Part 3: A study of sexual assault - Voyeurism, Revenge Porn, Youth Justice and False Allegations
This blog series examines some of the sexual offences encountered by the main characters in the explosive 12-part BBC series, ‘I May Destroy You’. This final instalment focuses on a character called Theo and the events that occurred when she was a youth, during her high school years.
Legal limbo for children: The risks of turning 18
The impact of Coronavirus is significant and far-reaching for all children and young adults. For a youth justice system creaking under strain with serious delays, the lockdown has only compounded the problems and brings a raft of serious consequences. Timely justice is ever more important.
