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Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

I support this amendment. I do not see how it can be said that we are treating custody as a last resort, unless we have secured that the court has the advantage of representation as to the circumstances of the offender and those surrounding his case. It is sometimes forgotten that it is the duty of a legal representative to assist the court, not simply to advance the case of his or her client. It is very much in the interests of the court, and therefore justice, that a child or young person should be legally represented in all circumstances, save the most exceptional. I am warmly in support of this amendment.