The Magistrates' Courts (Children and Young Persons) Rules 1988

Duty of court to explain manner in which it proposes to deal with case and effect of order.

27.—(1) Before finally disposing of the case or before remitting the case to another court in pursuance of section 2(11) of the Act of 1969, the court shall in simple language inform the relevant infant, any person conducting the case on his behalf, and his parent or guardian, if present, of the manner in which it proposes to deal with the case and allow any of those persons so informed to make representations:

Provided that the relevant infant shall not be informed as aforesaid if the court considers it undesirable or, having regard to his age and understanding, impracticable so to inform him.

(2) On making any order, the court shall in simple language suitable to his age and understanding explain to the relevant infant the general nature and effect of the order unless it appears to it impracticable so to do having regard to his age and understanding or, in the case of an order requiring his parent or guardian to enter into a recognizance, it appears to it undesirable so to do; and shall in any case give such an explanation to the relevant infant’s parent or guardian, if present.