A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S U V Y
A
Abuse of Process
If the Prosecution can be said to have manipulated or misused the rules of procedure or if an excessive delay to proceedings has prejudiced the defendant to a situation where fair trial is no longer possible, this may be deemed an abuse of process.
If a defence solicitor believes that there has been an abuse of process, they can make an application for the charges to be dropped or dismissed. As part of this application, the defence have to prove that continuing with proceedings would be an affront to justice or that a fair trial is impossible. This application must be approved by the Magistrate/s or Judge before charges are dropped.
Appropriate Adult
A responsible person over the age of 18 who will provide support to children or vulnerable adults who have been detained at the Police Station or are being interviewed by the Police.
Read more about the role of appropriate adults here.
Adjournment
When a court appearance will be postponed or delayed to be continued at a later date. This may be because of scheduling conflicts or because certain evidence has not yet been served.
B
Bail
The temporary release of an accused person awaiting a charging decision or awaiting trial. In certain circumstances, conditions may be imposed alongside the bail, which may require the individual to report to the Police Station at certain times or prevent them from entering certain areas.
Barrister
Also referred to as counsel, a barrister is a lawyer who is specialised to represent individuals in Court. This may be the Magistrates, Crown or Youth Court. However, barristers who intend to represent children in the Youth Court are required by the Bar Standards Board to register that they are competent to do so.
Breach of Bail
When an individual breaks the bail conditions imposed upon them by the Police or by the Court. There are two ways in which bail can be breached:
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- If an individual fails to appear at the Police Station or at Court at the appointed time, also referred to as failure to surrender. This is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution.
- If an individual does not follow the conditions of their bail. This is not a criminal offence, but can result in arrest. If a person breaches their bail conditions, the Police or Court may choose to change their conditions or decide to remand them in custody instead.
C
Caution
There are two definitions of a caution in criminal law:
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- Police Caution. When an individual is arrested they are given a Police caution, which is a warning that anything they say can be used in evidence if the case proceeds to go court.
- A caution is also the name of a formal warning for minor offences that serves as an alternative to prosecution. For a caution to be given, the individual is required to provide an admission of guilt and there must be sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. Children who admit to an offence can be given a youth caution or a youth conditional caution.
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
When a group or an individual manipulates, deceives, coerces or controls someone under the age of 18 to take part in criminal activity.
Learn more about the types of CCE and how this may affect a child’s criminal case here.
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)
Previously referred to as child pornography, this is any image, video or digital file that depicts the sexual abuse or exploitation of a child (under the age of 18). Types of CSAM can include:
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- Traditional imagery e.g. physical photos or videos
- Self-generated CSAM e.g. images of videos taken by the child themselves, often by coercion or grooming
- AI-generated CSAM e.g. content generated entirely through AI. This can include ‘deepfakes‘.
Community Order
This is a sentence imposed for an offence that is considered too serious for a fine but not serious enough for a prison sentence. A community order will require the individual to complete certain requirements within the community.
Community Resolution
An out-of-court-disposal imposed for adults and youths. This is used when dealing with less serious crime where the individual accepts responsibility for committing the offence
County Lines
A specific type of criminal exploitation where organised criminal gangs exploit children to move, store and sell drugs and any associated money or weapons. Typically, this is done to transport drugs from larger urban areas to smaller rural towns across the UK. Criminal networks tend to operate using dedicated mobile phone lines known as ‘deal lines’ to take orders and communicate with their network. ‘County lines’ refers specifically to these phone lines. Children may be coerced, deceived, threatened or intimidated into becoming involved in county lines activity.
Custody
In criminal law, custody refers to being held in some form of detention. This may be in a Police Station cell, a cell at court or in a prison.
Children who are given a custodial (prison) sentence, will be sent to either a Secure Children’s Home (SCH), a Secure Training Centre (STC) or a Young Offenders’ Institution (YOI) depending on their age and vulnerability. Where a child is placed is decided by the Youth Justice Board.
Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO)
This is an order that may be imposed when an individual is convicted of an offence, regardless of whether they are convicted in the Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court or Youth Court.
A CBO will place additional restrictions on the individual, which may involve:
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- Prohibiting the individual from doing certain things which, depending on their offending history, may lead to further offences being committed (e.g. entering a certain area, engaging with certain individuals);
- Requiring the individual to adhere to/comply with certain conditions (e.g. attending an educational/rehabilitation course, completing community service).
CBO’s have replaced the Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) and the Drinking Ban Order (DBO) following the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Criminal Responsibility
The age at which a person becomes legally responsible and culpable of committing a criminal offence. In England, the age of criminal responsibility is 10 years old.
Read more about the age of criminal responsibility here.
Cross-Examination
Where a witness who has already given their evidence in Court is formally interrogated by the opposing party to challenge the witness’ evidence or credibility.
Crown Court
This is a court were a jury will decide whether or not a person is guilty of an alleged offence. The Crown Court is where the most serious criminal offences are heard.
For children’s cases, they will only be sent to the Crown Court if the offence is grave or if they are jointly charged with an adult.
Learn more about how trials in the Crown Court work here.
D
Debt Bondage
This is a form of criminal exploitation. Debt bondage is a form of entrapment where a victim owes money to their exploiter/s and is made to repay this debt through engaging in criminal activity. Often, this activity is drug-related e.g. dealing or smuggling drugs but it can also relate transporting/smuggling firearms.
Often, debt bondage is never-ending as exploiters will manufacture/continue to increase the victim’s debt to keep them trapped and force them to continue engaging in criminal activity.
Deepfakes
When a video or image has been edited in a way so that a person’s face, body or voice has been superimposed so that they appear to be someone else. This is typically done in a malicious manner and/or to spread false information.
Detention and Training Order (DTO)
For children aged 12-17, this is a prison sentence that can be for 4, 6, 8, 12 or 18 months, or 2 years. Children between the ages of 12-14 can only receive a DTO if they are considered a persistent offender. DTOs are split, with the first half being served in custody and the second half served under supervision in the community.
Duress
A defence to an alleged criminal offence, where the defendant they were threatened, coerced or forced in some manner to commit the offence against their will or better judgement.
Duty Solicitor
A solicitor that is appointed by the Police or the Court if the individual does not have a solicitor of their own. Duty solicitors have no connection to the Police or Government. Advice from the duty solicitor is free, however you can only use the duty solicitor once.
E
Either-Way Offence
A type of criminal offence that can be dealt with in either the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court. There are a wide range of criminal offences that fall within this category in terms of the level of seriousness. Examples of either way offences can include:
F
Failure to Surrender
When an individual who has been released on bail fails without reasonable excuse to attend Court or Police Station at the time they have be told to. This is a criminal offence and the individual may be charged with this on top of the offences they already face.
Football Banning Order (FBO)
This is a civil order that is imposed to prevent violence and disorder connected to regulated football matches, which prevents individuals from attending these matches. An FBO may be imposed:
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- Following a conviction for a football-related offence or;
- Following a complaint from the Police or CPS.
An FBO can last between 3 and 10 years, but the length will depend on the severity of the original offence. Breach of an FBO is a criminal offence and can result in a maximum penalty of six months prison and/or a fine.
G
Grave Crimes
These are particularly serious offences which, if committed by an adult, carry a maximum sentence of 14 years or longer. When a child is accused of a grave offence, their case may be transferred from the Youth Court to the Crown Court provided (if convicted) that there is a realistic likelihood that the potential sentence will significantly exceed two years in custody.
Examples of grave crimes include:
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- Sexual or violent crimes that have a maximum sentence (for an adult) of 14 years or more
- Certain sexual offences
- Child sexual offences
- Sexual activity with a child family member
- Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity
- Certain firearms offences with mandatory minimum sentences.
I
Indecent Images
An image of a child (under the age of 18) which is sexual in nature and may include images of nude or partially clothed children. Indecent images can also involve animals.
Indictable Only Offence
These are the most serious criminal offences and can only be dealt with within the Crown Court. If a person has been charged with an indictable only offence, they must first appear at the Magistrates’ Court but the case will be sent immediately to the Crown Court to be dealt with by a Judge. Types of indictable only offences include:
Intermediary
A person who helps a witness of defendant with communication so that they understand the court process and give their best evidence. An intermediary can also help a defendant speak to their lawyer, to understand any questions their lawyer and to give answers to their lawyer. Child witnesses are automatically entitled to ask for an intermediary if it will help improve their evidence and child defendants can ask for a registered intermediary.
Intensive Fostering
Intensive Fostering is often imposed alongside a Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO) for an imprisonable offence. Instead of being imprisoned, the youth is required to live with a local authority foster parent. This community-based alternative is designed for children whose home environment is contributing to their offending behaviour.
Intensive Supervision Courts (ISC)
These are problem-solving courts that are targeted towards offenders with complex needs. ISCs aim to divert these offenders away from shorter prison sentences and instead towards community orders and suspended sentences.
ISCs are still in a pilot and expansion phase. There are currently only four ISCs operating in England and Wales:
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- Bristol Crown Court (substances misuse ISC)
- Liverpool Crown Court (substances misuse ISC)
- Teesside Crown Court (substances misuse ISC)
- Birmingham Magistrates’ Court (women’s ISC)
The UK government are aiming to begin launching other ISC pilots in Spring 2026
Intensive Supervision and Surveillance (ISS)
For an imprisonable offence where, instead of going to prison, individuals are closely monitored in the community. This can include programmes as well as electronic tagged curfew. ISS can be imposed either as a bail package or as a sentence.
L
Local Authority
An administrative body in the UK that is responsible for delivering public services, governing local areas and planning in a specific region.
Local Authority Accommodation
This is accommodation that the local authority (local council) provides for a person to live in. This may be a foster home, a children’s home, or sometimes with a family member, if social services consider it suitable.
M
Magistrates’ Court
The majority of criminal cases will begin at the Magistrates’ Court. The Magistrates’ Court is for adults, but children with an adult co-defendant will go to the Magistrates’ Court or if there is no Youth Court
Modern Slavery
Modern slavery refers to the exploitation and control of an individual for someone else’s gain, without respect for their human rights and personal freedom.
Forms of modern slavery include:
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- Human trafficking
- Forced labour
- Sexual exploitation
- Domestic servitude
- Criminal exploitation
- Debt bondage
N
National Crime Agency (NCA)
The NCA is a national law enforcement agency which is responsible for investigated serious and organised crime. This includes human trafficking, drug trafficking, economic crime and cyber crime.
National Referral Mechanism (NRM)
The UK’s framework for identifying and supporting potential victims of modern slavery and exploitation and ensuring they receive the appropriate care. After an NRM referral, a ‘Competent Authority’ will then decide on whether a person is being/has been trafficked. This decision is based on a balance of probability ‘it is more likely than not’ that the person is a victim of human trafficking or modern slavery.
Positive conclusive grounds must be found to establish that a person has been a victim of exploitation.
No Case to Answer
A submission of no case to answer is an application made at court when a legal representative believes that there is no evidence or insufficient evidence to suggest that the defendant has committed the alleged offence(s).
If the Judge agrees that there is no case to answer and the application is successful, the defendant of those charges. If the application is unsuccessful, the trial will continue as planned.
No Further Action (NFA)
This is when the Police make the decision not to charge someone with an offence. This may be because there is not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction or because it is not in the public interest to do so. An NFA brings an end the criminal investigation. However, if further evidence is uncovered down the line, the Police may choose to re-open the investigation.
Notification Requirements
Imposed as part of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, this is also referred to as the sex offenders register. Notification requirements are a legal requirement for sex offenders to provide personal details to the Police. This may involve attending a designated Police Station at set dates and providing personal information, as well as being fingerprinted.
The length of time that an individual is required to adhere to notification requirements will depend on the offence committed and the severity of the sentence. Failure to adhere to these requirements may lead to imprisonment.
O
Organised Crime Group (OCG)
An OCG is a group of three or more people who work together on a regular and/or continual basis to plan and carry out criminal behaviour. It is not necessary for all individuals within the OCG to know each other.
Examples of activities may include (but are not limited to):
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- drug/human/arms trafficking
- money laundering
- fraud
- cybercrime
Out of Court Disposal (OOCD)
An alternative to being charged with a criminal offence that avoids court involvement. This is for adults and children who have committed less serious offences and are at a low risk of re-offending.
For adults, types of OOCDs include :
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- Simple caution
- Conditional caution
- Penalty notice
- Community resolution
Find out more about the types of OOCDs for children here.
P
Plea
A formal statement made by a defendant in Court in response to a criminal charge.
Police National Computer (PNC)
A national database used by the Police and other UK law enforcement agencies. The PNC is used to carry out real-time checks, for example on a person’s criminal record, missing and wanting people and vehicle registration checks.
Postal Requisition
The name for a Magistrates’ Court summons. It tells the individual when they need to attend court for a criminal case and what offences they are being accused of.
Read more about postal requisitions here.
Pre-Sentence Report (PSR)
A document prepared ahead of sentencing by the probation service or Youth Justice Service to help the court understand the individual’s personal circumstances and background so that the most appropriate sentence can be determined. This report must be impartial and is there to give a recommendation of sentencing to the court. However, the court does not have to follow any recommendations made.
R
Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR)
This is a court order that can be imposed as part of a community order or a suspended sentence order. An RAR will require the individual to attend probation supervision appointments and to participate rehabilitative activities to address their offending behaviour.
The main goal of an RAR is to assist individuals to rehabilitate by addressing the root of their offending to prevent any further offending.
Released Under Investigation (RUI)
This means that a person will be released while the Police continue with their investigation. This is not the same as being released on bail, as with RUI there are no restrictions or obligations to return. The Police may still be in contact at a later date with a charging decision, to release with NFA or (for youths) to offer an OOCD.
Remand
If an individual is put on remand, this means that the court has decided that they must remain in prison until the trial begins. There are several reasons why this may be the case:
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- If the individual has been convicted of a crime in the past
- If the court thinks they might not come to their court hearing
- If the court thinks they might commit further crimes while on bail
- If the individual has been given bail before and not adhered to the terms
S
Section 91
A youth prison sentence that can only be imposed within the Crown Court. This is for children who have committed grave crimes, such as sexual or violent crimes, where a YRO or a DTO is not suitable. A Section 91 is normally used to pass a sentence longer than the maximum 2 years available under a DTO.
Secure Accommodation
This is a type of youth custody where children are placed by local authorities (local council) and are not allowed to leave.
Types of secure accommodation for children include:
The local authority has the power to make an application to place the child in secure accommodation if:
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- A child is likely to abscond from such other accommodation or
- The child is likely to injure themselves or others if the child is kept in any other accommodation.
A child should not be placed in a Police cell unless there is no other secure accommodation available.
Children aged 12-17 can be sent to a Secure Children’s Home, Secure Training Centre and boys can be sent to a Young Offenders Institution.
Children aged 10-11 can be sentenced to custodial sentences, but this will rarely happen. They can be sent to a Secure Children’s Home if they are refused bail and are remanded to local authority accommodation and if a separate court order gives permission for the child to be placed in secure accommodation.
Secure Children’s Homes
This is a type of secure accommodation for children (aged 10-17) to live in if they have been placed in custody. Typically, children aged 10-11 and older children (12-15) who are considered vulnerable, are sent to a secure children’s home.
The Youth Custody Placement Service team decides where children who are remanded/sentenced to custody are placed. A child, their parent/guardian, their legal representative or the Youth Justice Service can challenge a placement decision.
Secure Training Centres
This is a type of secure accommodation that children may be placed in if they are in custody. Secure Training Centres (STCs) are for children up to the age of 17.
There is only one STC currently open and operational in England and Wales: Oakhill Secure Training Centre.
Usually girls aged 12-17, boys 12-14 and older boys who are considered vulnerable are sent to a STC.
Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)
This is a court order made against an individual who is found guilty of a sexual offence. SHPOs are imposed either by a Magistrates or a Judge if the person is considered to be a risk to the general public.
If a SHPO is imposed, the individual must comply with conditions (requirements and/or prohibitions) imposed by the court. These conditions may be effective for life or for a specified time period. The individual will also be made to certain notification requirements, also referred to as the sex offenders register.
Breach of a SHPO without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. If an individual is convicted of this offence on a summary conviction (in the Magistrates’ Court), they may be liable to a prison sentence of up to six months or to a fine or both. If they are convicted on indictment (in the Crown Court), they may be liable to a prison sentence of up to five years. The outcome will be dependant on the seriousness of the breach.
Sexual Risk Order (SRO)
This is a civil order that the court can impose on an individual who is believed to pose a risk of sexual harm. This is with the aim of protecting the public and, unlike a SHPO, can be imposed even if the individual has no prior caution or conviction for a sexual offence.
An SRO may be imposed if the individual has done an act of a sexual nature, for which there is reasonable cause to believe it is necessary to make an order to protect the public from harm.
An SRO may place certain restrictions or requirements on the individual in question. The order can also require the individual to notify the Police of their name and address while the order has effect.
The minimum duration for an SRO is two years and has full effect for a fixed period, as may be specified in the order, or until a further order is made. There is no maximum duration for an SRO, except for if the order contains foreign travel restrictions. If so, these aspects of the order may last a maximum of five years.
A breach of an SRO without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. If an individual is convicted of this offence on a summary conviction (in the Magistrates’ Court), they may be liable to a prison sentence of up to six months or to a fine or both. If they are convicted on indictment (in the Crown Court), they may be liable to a prison sentence of up to five years. The outcome will be dependant on the seriousness of the breach.
Single Competent Authority (SCA)
This is a specialised body within the UK Home Office that is responsible for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery by making decisions under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).
A SCA will decide whether or not there are positive conclusive grounds to suggest that a person is a victim of modern slavery.
Spent Conviction
An old conviction that is not necessary to disclose to employers and will no longer appear on basic DBS checks. Sentences received as a child are spent more quickly than adult sentences. Youth cautions, for example, are spent immediately and therefore do not have to be disclosed to employers.
Summary-Only Offence
This type of criminal offence can only be heard in the Magistrates’ Court. The only exception to this is when the offence is linked or associated with a more serious offence which has been sent to the Crown Court. Types of summary-only offences can include:
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- Most motoring offences
- Minor criminal damage
- Common assault (not racially aggravated)
Suspended Sentence Order
A term of imprisonment that is not served immediately but is delayed or ‘suspended’. This allows the individual to serve their sentence in the community rather than in prison, provided they meet certain conditions and do not commit any further crimes within this period. If the individual does commit another offence/s during this period, they may need to serve the remainder of their sentence in prison.
U
Unspent Conviction
A conviction that remains within its rehabilitation period and therefore is visible on your criminal record. An unspent conviction or caution will show up on all DBS checks. It is a legal requirement to disclose unspent convictions if an employer asks you. Failing to do so is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution.
V
Voluntary Interview
When a person suspected of committing a criminal offence is interviewed by the Police without being arrested. This is also known as a caution plus 3 interview.
Despite the name, a voluntary interview is not optional. ‘Voluntary’ simply refers to the fact that the time of the Police interview will be scheduled in advance and the individual can make their own way to the Police Station.
If the individual fails to schedule a voluntary interview or fails to attend the Police Station for the scheduled time, they will be arrested and taken to the Police Station to be interviewed.
You still have the right to legal representation when attending a voluntary interview. Once you ask for a solicitor, the Police cannot ask you any questions relating to the alleged offence until the solicitor arrives.
Y
Youth Caution
A formal OOCD if a child admits to committing a criminal offence. A youth caution will remain on a child’s criminal record. A Youth Caution will remain on a child’s criminal record.
Youth Conditional Caution
A youth caution with one or more conditions attached. If these conditions are breached, the child may be prosecuted for the original offence. Youth conditional cautions will remain on a child’s criminal record.
Youth Court
A type of Magistrates’ Court which exclusively hears cases relating to youth offences. These cases are either heard by three Magistrates or a single District Judge sitting alone.
Youth Detention Accommodation
A type of custody (prison) for children over the age of 12 who have been refused bail and meet certain conditions. This conditions include:
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- Serious offences condition (when the child is charged with a violent of sexual offence or one which is punishable with imprisonment of 14 years or more in the case of an adult) or
- Recent history/history condition (when the child is charged with any other imprisonable offence)
For a child to be remanded to youth detention accommodation, they have legal representation. The only exception to this is if:
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- The legal representation was withdrawn because of the child’s conduct,
- Representation was withdrawn or refused because of the child’s financial resources; or
- The child refused or failed to apply for representation.
Children who are ten or eleven, or do not meet the conditions, will instead be remanded to local authority accommodation.
Youth Justice Services
Previously referred to as Youth Offending Team (YOT), this is a multi-agency team that works to support children who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. Youth Justice Services are part of the local council and are separate from the Police and the Courts.
Learn more about the role of the Youth Justice Services here.
Young Offender Institution (YOI)
This is a type of secure accommodation that children may be placed in if they are in custody. YOIs are for boys aged 15-17 and young adult men aged 18-21. Under 18s are held in separate units from 18–21-year-olds.
There are currently four young offender institutions in England and Wales:
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- Feltham
- Parc
- Werrington
- Wetherby
Youth Referral Order
This is a sentencing option for children who have pleaded guilty to an offence. If given a referral order, a child is referred to a Youth Offender Panel, where they must agree a contract with them. A referral order can be from 3-12 months.
Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO)
A community-based sentence and can be tailored on a case-by-case basis. There is no minimum time-period, but they can last up to 3 years.
Youth Reparation Order
This is a sentence to prevent children from committing further offences by helping the child understand the effect of the crime on the victims. These are for less serious offences and cannot be imposed if a child is being sentenced to a custodial sentence or a Youth Rehabilitation Order.
The Reparation Order must be completed within 3 months and requires the child to perform restorative work for up to 24 hours and cannot involve paying compensation.