This book, by one of Canada's leading scholars of youth justice, gives lawyers, judges, and other professionals an introduction to an important, controversial area of Canadian law. Our response to young persons who violate criminal law is profoundly significant not simply for those who are directly involved in the process, but also for society as a whole. The focus of the book is on the Young Offenders Act and the youth justice system. However, it also provides a discussion of the broader political and social issues that affect families and youth, and it explores some of the ethical and practical issues that confront lawyers and other professionals working in the youth justice system.

Nicholas Bala is one of Canada's leading experts in the field of family law. He has a special interest, and has published extensively, in the area of family obligations and legal issues related to children such as child abuse, young offenders, custody and access following divorce, and child support. His work is often cited by the courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has done considerable consulting on law reform issues in the family law field for federal and provincial governments as well as for aboriginal organizations, and he has appeared as a witness at a number of Parliamentary hearings. He is frequently invited to speak at education programs for judges, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals and is regularly interviewed by the media about family law issues. Professor Bala received the Queen's Law Students' Society Award for Teaching Excellence in 1993 and 1998. He has been a visiting professor at McGill University and Duke Law School and a visiting scholar at the University of Calgary.

Nicholas Bala's profile page