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Lady Hale Pushes to Raise Criminal Age to 14

12/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Lady Hale advocates raising the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales to 14.
She says the current age of 10, defended by the Ministry of Justice, undercuts evidence on reoffending.
The piece contrasts Norway’s welfare approach after the 1994 Silje Redergård killing with UK reactions to the 1993 James Bulger case.
Prof. Roger Evans warns that not adopting Hale’s proposal would be a significant oversight for the Labour government.

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Story summary

Lady Hale advocates raising the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales to 14.
She says the current age of 10, defended by the Ministry of Justice, undercuts evidence on reoffending.
The piece contrasts Norway’s welfare approach after the 1994 Silje Redergård killing with UK reactions to the 1993 James Bulger case.
Prof. Roger Evans warns that not adopting Hale’s proposal would be a significant oversight for the Labour government.