Children's Rights and the Developing Law

Reviews / Votes

'There is something for everyone here, from a discussion of children's rights and the impact of the international human rights framework, to practical considerations of age limits and adult perceptions of capacity, decision-making by adolescents, leaving home and support in financial and accommodation, and from legal representation and issues in private and public law, to education, disability, runaways, family relationships, diversity, and children as victims and offenders in criminal law. The sourcing and referencing is an impeccable and comprehensive as ever, and her use of international and domestic case law particularly impressive ... Jane Fortin has covered the law on children's rights in one volume that also actually makes you think about what we do - a rare event in legal textbooks, and I know of no-one who does it better.' Liz Goldthorpe, Association of Lawyers for Children Newsletter 'Fortin draws extensively upon works from philosophy and sociology and, in particular, the growing body of research literature on children's real needs as opposed to unrealistic assumptions about children's interests ... herein lies the formidable strength of this book. It is a book about children's rights and it does set consideration of rights (in relation to representation, health, education, the criminal justice system etc.' within a theoretical framework, but at all times the endeavour is to test the extent to which legal developments in relation to children's rights have had or can have a practical and positive impact upon the lives of children ... masterly in its treatment of parents' decisions and children's health care rights; the chapter on children's rights to representation in court of major significance. One turns to it time and time again, not simply to draw upon the wealth of literature upon which the book is based, but to consider the author's own insights into developments ... the second edition secures its position as a truly important, influential and authoritative book.' Child & Family Quarterly '... an engaging, well-written and extensively researched ... excellent third edition of the most comprehensive book on the rights of children in England and Wales.' Child and Family Law Quarterly