323Appointment of youth advocate to represent child or young person

1. Where a child or young person appears before the Youth Court charged with an offence, then unless—

2. the child or young person is already represented by a barrister or solicitor in those proceedings; or
3. the court is satisfied that legal representation has been arranged, or will be arranged, for that child or young person in those proceedings,—
the court shall appoint a barrister or solicitor to represent that child or young person in those proceedings.

4. Where the court appoints a barrister or solicitor under subsection (1), it shall, so far as practicable, appoint a barrister or solicitor who is, by reason of personality, cultural background, training, and experience, suitably qualified to represent the child or young person.

5. Where,—

6. pursuant to subsection (1), the court is required to appoint a barrister or solicitor to represent a child or young person in any proceedings; and
7. a youth advocate has been appointed to represent the child or young person in any previous proceedings or appointed to represent a child or young person at a family group conference under section 248A,—
the court shall, where possible, appoint that youth advocate to represent the child or young person in the later proceedings.