Youth Court Bench Book and Pronouncement Builder

Updated September 2025

The Youth Court Bench Book (YCBB) provides guidance for magistrates who sit in the youth court dealing with children (ie those under the age of 18). It is used for reference at court and to support training. 

The YCBB is supplemented by national sentencing guidelines, checklists and pronouncements, available via the Pronouncement Builder. These help magistrates to undertake the task of decision-making in a fair and structured manner. The Youth Court Pronouncement Builder assists magistrates to explain their decisions fully and clearly.

Please note: The PDF format of the YCPCs was discontinued. From 15 May 2023, pronouncement wording became available only via the Pronouncement Builder (external link) on the Sentencing Council website.