OpenLegislation

Children and Young Persons Act 1933

23 & 24 Geo. 5 c. 12 · Enacted 13 April 1933 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 49 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 12D(1A)-(1F)insertedPublic Health (Wales) Act 2017 s. 51
s. 77(2)(2A)repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
s. 79(1)-(3)(5)repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
s. 58repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
Sch. 4 para. 14repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
Sch. 4 para. 1-3repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
s. 106(3)-(5)repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
s. 104repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
s. 103repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
s. 81(1)(3)repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
s. 80repealedChildren and Young Persons Act 1969 Sch. 6
s. 31(1)s. 31 renumbered as s. 31(2)Criminal Justice Act 1991 Sch. 8 para. 1(1)
s. 31(2)insertedCriminal Justice Act 1991 Sch. 8 para. 1(1)
Sch. 2 para. 2AaddedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 11 para. 12(4)
Sch. 2 para. 3excludedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 14 Pt. 5 para. 28(1)
Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 8amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 s. 77(4)
Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 8ArepealedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 15 Pt. 5(1)
Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 9substitutedAccess to Justice Act 1999 s. 77(5)
Sch. 2 para. 9restricted (conditionally)Access to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 14 Pt. 5 para. 28(2)
Sch. 2 para. 13amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 10 para. 14 16(4)
Sch. 2 Pt. 1repealed in part (specified headings repealed )Access to Justice Act 1999 s. 77(1)(2) Sch. 15 Pt. 5(2)
Sch. 2 Pt. 2repealedAccess to Justice Act 1999 s. 77(6) Sch. 15 Pt. 5(2)
Sch. 2amended (headings inserted)Access to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 11 para. 12(1)(2)(4)
Sch. 2 para. 8amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 10 para. 14 16(3)
s. 36amended (1.1.2000)Access to Justice Act 1999 s. 73(1)
s. 36 provisorepealedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 15 Pt. 3
s. 42amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 13 para. 8 9
s. 45amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 13 para. 8 10
s. 45repealed in partAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 15 Pt. 5(1)
s. 46amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 13 para. 8 11(a)
s. 48amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 10 para. 14 15
s. 56amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 13 para. 8 11(b)
s. 106amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 13 para. 8 11(c)
Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 1repealedAccess to Justice Act 1999 s. 77(3) Sch. 15 Pt. 5(2)
Sch. 2 para. 1amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 10 para. 14 16(2)
Sch. 2 para. 2amendedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 11 para. 12(3)
s. 38repealedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 6
s. 37amendedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 4 para. 2(2)
s. 49(12)-(14)insertedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 2 para. 3(9)
s. 39(3)insertedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 2 para. 2(1)
s. 47amendedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 4 para. 2(3)
s. 49(6)(c)—Criminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 Sch. 7 para. 5
s. 4(1)words repealedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 37 Pt. 9
s. 49(4A)(d)repealedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Sch. 4 para. 3(3) Sch. 28 Pt. 1
s. 44(1A) (1B)insertedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 s. 9(3)
s. 49(13)(c)(i)repealedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Sch. 4 para. 3(5) Sch. 28 Pt. 1
s. 44applied by 2020 c. 17, s. 58(2)(b) (as substituted)Sentencing Act 2020 Sch. 22 para. 3(1)
s. 7omittedTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 Sch. 7 para. 1
Sch. 1words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 13 para. 17

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to persons under the age of eighteen years.

[13th April 1933]C1C2I1E1C3C4C5

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act extended (except ss. 15, 19) by Protection of Children Act 1978 (c. 37), s. 1(5).

C2

Act amended by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 170(1), Sch. 15 para. 9

C3

By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), S. 101(1), Sch. 12 para.23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

C4

Power to modify conferred (5.2.1994) by 1993 c. 47, ss. 22(3), 33(2).

C5

Act (except ss. 53, 58, 79-81, Sch. 4): transfer of functions (W) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1

Commencement

I1

Act partly in force at Royal Assent by s. 109(2) (now repealed); Act wholly in force at 1.11.1933.

Extent

E1

Act: does not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland save as therein otherwise expressly provided see s. 109(3).

Contents

  1. Part I: Prevention of Cruelty and Exposure to Moral and Physical Danger
  2. Offences
  3. 1Cruelty to persons under sixteen.
  4. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  5. 3Allowing persons under sixteen to be in brothels.
  6. 4Causing or allowing persons under sixteen to be used for begging.
  7. 5Giving intoxicating liquor to children under five.
  8. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  9. 7Sale of tobacco, &c. to persons under eighteen.
  10. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  11. 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  12. 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  13. 11†Exposing children under seven to risk of burning.
  14. 12Failing to provide for safety of children at entertainments.
  15. ...
  16. 12ARestricted premises orders Repealed
  17. 12BRestricted sale orders Repealed
  18. 12CEnforcement Repealed
  19. 12DInterpretation Repealed
  20. Special Provisions as to Prosecutions for Offences specified in First Schedule
  21. 13Section 13
  22. 14Mode of charging offences and limitation of time.
  23. 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  24. Supplemental
  25. 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  26. 17Interpretation of Part I.
  27. Part II: Employment
  28. General Provisions as to Employment
  29. 18Restrictions on employment of children.
  30. 18ARegulations under section 18: further provision
  31. 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  32. 20Street trading.
  33. 21Penalties and legal proceedings in respect of general provisions as to employment.
  34. Entertainments and Performances
  35. 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  36. 23Prohibition against persons under sixteen taking part in performances endangering life or limb.
  37. 24Restrictions on training for performances of a dangerous nature.
  38. Employment Abroad
  39. 25Restrictions on persons under eighteen going abroad for the purpose of performing for profit.
  40. 26Punishment of contraventions of last foregoing section and proceedings with respect thereto.
  41. Supplemental
  42. 27Byelaws.
  43. 28Powers of entry.
  44. 29Savings.
  45. 30Interpretation of Part II.
  46. Part III: Protection of Children and Young Persons in relation to Criminal and Summary Proceedings
  47. General Provisions as to Preliminary Proceedings
  48. 31Separation of children and young persons from adults in police stations, courts, &c.
  49. 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  50. 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  51. 34Attendance at court of parent of child or young person charged with an offence, &c.
  52. 34AAttendance at court of parent or guardian.
  53. 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  54. General Provisions as to Proceedings in Court
  55. 36Prohibition against children being present in court during the trial of other persons.
  56. 37Power to clear court while child or young person is giving evidence in certain cases.
  57. 38Evidence of child of tender years.
  58. 39Power to prohibit publication of certain matter....
  59. 39AProhibition on publication of certain matters: providers of information society services
  60. Special Procedure with regard to Offences specified in First Schedule
  61. 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  62. 41Power to proceed with case in absence of child or young person.
  63. 42Extension of power to take deposition of child or young person.
  64. 43Admission of deposition of child or young person in evidence.
  65. Principles to be observed by all Courts in dealing with Children and Young Persons
  66. 44General considerations.
  67. Youth Courts
  68. 45Constitution of Youth courts.
  69. 46Assignment of certain matters to youth courts.
  70. 47Procedure in youth courts.
  71. 48Miscellaneous provisions as to powers of youth courts.
  72. 49Restrictions on reports of proceedings in which children or young persons are concerned.
  73. Juvenile Offenders
  74. 50Age of criminal responsibility.
  75. 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  76. 52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  77. 53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  78. 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  79. 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  80. 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  81. 57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  82. 58Power of Secretary of State to send certain juvenile offenders to approved schools.
  83. 59Miscellaneous provisions as to summary proceedings against juvenile offenders.
  84. 60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  85. 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  86. 62—76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  87. Part IV: Remand Homes, Approved Schools, and Persons To whose care children and young persons may be committed
  88. Remand Homes
  89. 77Provision of remand homes by councils of counties and county boroughs.
  90. 78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  91. Approved Schools
  92. 79Approval of schools.
  93. 80Provision of approved schools by local authorities.
  94. 81Classification, administration, and management.
  95. 82—85. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  96. 86—89. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  97. 90, 91. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  98. Part V
  99. 92, 93. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  100. 94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  101. 95. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  102. Part VI: Supplemental
  103. Local Authorities
  104. 96` Provisions as to local authorities.
  105. 97Modifications of last foregoing section as to City of London. Repealed
  106. 98†Institution of proceedings by local or poor law authorities. Repealed
  107. Supplementary Provisions as to Legal Proceedings
  108. 99Presumption and determination of age.
  109. 100Evidence of wages of defendant.
  110. 101Application of Summary Jurisdiction Acts. Repealed
  111. 102†Appeals to quarter sessions. Repealed
  112. Supplementary Provisions as to Secretary of State
  113. 103Power of Secretary of State to appoint inspectors.
  114. 104Exchequer grants and expenses of Secretary of State.
  115. General
  116. 105Variation of Orders in Council.
  117. 106Provisions as to documents, &c.
  118. 107Interpretation.
  119. 108Transitory provisions.
  120. 109†Short title, commencement, extent, and repeals.
  121. Schedule FIRSTOffences against Children and Young Persons, with respect to which Special Provisions of this Act apply
  122. Schedule 1A: Prohibition on publication of certain matters: providers of information society services
  123. Domestic service providers: extension of liability
  124. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  125. Non-UK service providers: restriction on institution of proceedings
  126. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  127. Exceptions for mere conduits
  128. 3Paragraph 3
  129. Exception for caching
  130. 4Paragraph 4
  131. Exception for hosting
  132. 5Paragraph 5
  133. Interpretation
  134. 6Paragraph 6
  135. Schedule 2
  136. Part I: Outside Metropolitan Area
  137. Youth court panels
  138. 1Paragraph 1
  139. Qualification to sit as member of youth court.
  140. 2Paragraph 2
  141. Constitution by single District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts)
  142. 2AParagraph 2A
  143. Youth court panels.
  144. 3Paragraph 3
  145. Combined youth court panels
  146. 4Paragraph 4
  147. 5Paragraph 5
  148. 6Paragraph 6
  149. Effect of order establishing combined panel
  150. 7Paragraph 7
  151. Restrictions on formation of combined panels
  152. 8Paragraph 8
  153. 8A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  154. 9Paragraph 9
  155. Consultations and notices
  156. 10Paragraph 10
  157. 11Paragraph 11
  158. 12Paragraph 12
  159. Part II: Metropolitan Area
  160. 13Paragraph 13
  161. 14Paragraph 14
  162. 15Paragraph 15
  163. 15AParagraph 15A
  164. 16Paragraph 16
  165. 17Paragraph 17
  166. 18Paragraph 18
  167. 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  168. Part III: General
  169. 20Paragraph 20
  170. 21Paragraph 21
  171. 22Paragraph 22
  172. Schedule THIRDSchedule THIRD
  173. Schedule FOURTH: Provisions as to Administration of Approved Schools and Treatment of Persons sent thereto
  174. General Provisions
  175. 1Paragraph 1
  176. 2Paragraph 2
  177. Treatment of Pupils
  178. 3Paragraph 3
  179. 4—13Paragraph 4—13 Repealed
  180. Superannuation of Officers
  181. 14Paragraph 14
  182. Schedule FIFTH: Transitory Provisions
  183. 1Paragraph 1
  184. 2Paragraph 2
  185. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  186. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  187. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  188. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  189. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  190. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  191. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  192. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  193. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  194. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  195. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  196. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  197. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  198. Schedule SIXTHSchedule SIXTH