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High Court hears challenge against the Home Office over the use of children as spies

Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Sam Jacobs have secured a judicial review challenging a decision of the Home Office concerning the use of children as spies (Covert Human Intelligence Sources/“CHIS”) by the police and other investigative agencies. The case is being heard before the High Court in London today.

The children’s charity Just for Kids Law is bringing the case in the public interest, arguing that the use of children as spies puts them at risk of severe physical and emotional harm, and that the lack of safeguards for children used in this way contravenes domestic and international human rights laws.

Just for Kids Law hopes that the case will force the government to amend the law by introducing appropriate safeguards to protect children from harm.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Sam Jacobs were instructed by Jennifer Twite of Just for Kids.

For fuller details about this case, please click here to read a release by Just for Kids Law.