26 February 2026
The Ten is Too Young Coalition has welcomed the tabling of an amendment to the Justice Bill that would raise Northern Ireland’s minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) from 10 to 16 years old, without exception.
The Coalition has once again reiterated its position that at 10 years old, Northern Ireland’s age of criminal responsibility is too young. It said the latest amendment that has been tabled is the most evidence-based and rights compliant, and marks an historic opportunity to finally end Northern Ireland’s status as having one of the lowest ages of criminal responsibility in the world.
For more than 30 years, children’s organisations, experts in child development and human rights bodies have been calling for meaningful reform, with victims’ advocates now also joining the calls. The support to raise the age is now widespread.
Chris Quinn, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, said: “We strongly welcome the tabling of the amendment setting the age at 16 with no exceptions.
“For over 30 years, organisations working with children have been clear, Northern Ireland’s current age of 10 is indefensible. It is out of step with international standards, out of step with science and out of step with the values we claim to hold about protecting children.
“This is a once in a generation chance to make our justice system fairer, safer and more effective. We cannot look back in years to come and realise we missed it.”
Fergal McFerran, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Children’s Law Centre, said: “Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 16 is not only the most rights compliant option – it is the approach that provides the best opportunity to deliver better outcomes for children, families and communities.
“Over a decade of scientific evidence tells us that children under 16 simply do not have the cognitive maturity to be held criminally responsible in the same way as adults. Criminalising them at 10 years old is wholly inconsistent with what we know about child development, and how we treat children with respect to other laws.
“What’s more, criminalising children simply doesn’t work. We know that 10 is too young, and MLAs now need to grasp this opportunity to support the most child rights compliant change to legislation as possible.”
The Ten is Too Young Coalition stressed that while it welcomes all efforts to raise the age, 16 without exceptions is the only option fully aligned with international children’s rights standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and General Comment No. 24, which encourages states to move towards 15 or 16 in line with developmental science.
The Coalition also cautioned against introducing exceptions for certain offences, citing clear UN guidance that exceptions are not grounded in evidence and undermine the purpose of the reform.
The Ten is Too Young Coalition is urging all MLAs to:
- Recognise that 10 is too young, and that criminalising children does not work.
- Maximise this opportunity by supporting the strongest amendment available.
- Recognise that children in conflict with the law are overwhelmingly vulnerable children, and those in need.
- Prioritise approaches that reduce reoffending, prevent future victims and give children the chance to turn their lives around.
With multiple amendments now tabled – seeking to set the age at 12 in some cases, 14 in some cases, and most recently to 16 – the Coalition is urging MLAs to ensure this long overdue issue receives full and serious debate in the Assembly chamber.
