VOLUNTEERS for the newly launched Child Youth and Community Tribunal have come forward. Organisers of the new system, launched last month as part of the Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008, said they were delighted with the response from islanders.

The new system, which is based on one used in Scotland since 1971, removes the majority of cases involving children in trouble or in need from the courts and places it before a panel made up of trained members of the community.

Tribunals are due to start in the Bailiwick next summer but a recruitment campaign is currently under way to ensure that up to 30 panel members are recruited and trained in time.

‘We have been delighted with the response so far and have already had a number of people come forward who are interested in being considered as a panel member,’ said Janet Gaggs (pictured), chairwoman (designate) of the Convenor Board, which monitors the system.