This House would raise the legal age of criminal intent from 10 to 14.

20 October 2015

There are only seven more days to go before the annual ‘Gepp & Sons Schools Legal Debate’. On Wednesday the 18th eight schools from across the county of Essex will be going head to head at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford.

This year’s motion is ‘This House would raise the legal age of criminal intent from 10 to 14.’

Since 1998, children in England and Wales have potentially been held legally responsible for criminal actions from the age of 10, meaning that England has one of the lowest age thresholds for criminal responsibility in Europe. Previously, there was a rebuttable presumption that those aged 10 to 14 could not form the necessary criminal intent and could not, therefore, be held criminally responsible for their actions.

The following eight schools will be debating in front of many distinguished guests from across local community.

Brentwood School

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Felsted School

Great Baddow High School

King Edward VI Grammar School

New Hall School

Ormiston Rivers Academy

We have a judging panel of distinguished Judges including:

The Right Hon. Lord Justice Burnett,

Her Honour Judge Walden Smith,

His Honour Judge Gratwicke,

His Honour Judge Lodge,

Her Honour Judge Murfitt and

Judge Advocate Elsom

Our guest speakers will include Helen Carter, Governor of HM Prison Chelmsford, and Amber Roswell, Trainee Solicitor for and on behalf of CORAM Children’s Legal Centre.

In addition there will be distinguished members of the legal profession, council and community organisations attending as guests. We are honoured to have David and Thomas Lyall, in-pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Colour Sergeant Chris Ferrett of the Royal Marines, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Gibson of the British Army.

For further information on the Legal Debate please speak to Caroline Spires or Chloe Pannu on 01245 493939 or email events@gepp.co.uk.