Justice Bill
Clause 14: Remand in custody exceeding three months
Clause 14 stipulates that, where a court remands a child in custody for more than three months, the court must give reasons for doing so in open court.
Clause 14
Remand in custody exceeding three months
14. After Article 10J of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (inserted by section 13 of this Act), insert—
“Remand in custody exceeding three months
10K.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where a court is deciding whether to remand a child charged with an offence for a further period such that the total period for which the child is remanded in custody will exceed three months.
(2) The court must have regard to—
(a) the likely period of any custodial sentence which a court would have the power to impose if the child is convicted of the offence in question, and
(b) the extent (if any) to which the total period for which the child is remanded in custody will exceed the likely period of any custodial sentence.
(3) Where a court remands a child in custody for a further period such that the total period for which the child is remanded in custody will exceed three months, the court must give reasons for doing so in open court.”.