Child, Youth & Community Tribunal (CYCT)

Updated in October 2024

The Child, Youth and Community Tribunal (CYCT) deals with children and young people under 18 who are having problems in their lives and may need legal steps to be taken to protect them.  One of the reasons this might occur is because they have got into trouble with the police.

Such a child or young person might be referred to the Children’s Convenor by the police, a social worker or a school, or by any person who is concerned.  Where a young person has been charged with a criminal offence they might be referred to the Tribunal by HM Procureur if she thinks that this is a more appropriate way of dealing with the young person. The Convenor, having found out about the circumstances in any way that they can, and if the Convenor thinks that the young person is in need of help, they may ask them to come to a CYCT hearing.  The CYCT members may, having considered the reports and heard from interested parties such as parents/carers, social workers and perhaps teachers –

• Decide not to do anything
• Refer the matter to the court to establish whether the grounds for referral are true or not
• Adjourn the hearing for further information to be obtained or
• Decide that compulsory measures of supervision are needed and make a “Care Requirement” i.e. that the States is responsible for the young person and imposing conditions such as where the young person is to live.