for the order to be reviewed though at any time. History The children's hearings system was initiated by the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, and further reinforced by Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011. It followed a report in April 1964 of a committee set up by the Secretary of State for Scotland under the chairmanship of Lord Kilbrandon, a Senator of the College of Justice, to examine how young offenders were dealt with. The existing juvenile courts were regarded as unsuitable because they had to combine the characteristics of a criminal court with those of a treatment agency. Separation of functions was recommended. The establishment of the grounds of referral (where disputed) was to remain with the courts but decisions on treatment were to be the responsibility of a new and unique kind of tribunal, which would be neither a court of law nor a local authority committee. On 15 April 1971, hearings took over from the courts most of the responsibility for children under 16. The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force on 24 June 2013 and brought a number of changes including updated grounds, updated legal orders, pre-hearing panels and the use of interim measures (instead of warrants). See also Social care in Scotland Scots law Sheriff Court High Court of Justiciary Crown Office Scottish Government Courts of Scotland References External links – Children's Hearings Website – Scottish Children's Reporter Administration – Scottish Government – Wiki about Children's Panels 1971 establishments in Scotland 1971 in law Courts of Scotland Scottish society Hearing Children's rights in Scotland Scots family law Social care in Scotland