Amendments to the bill modifying the age assessment

The Spanish Bar Association presented amendments to the bill that will modify the Law 1/2000 of 7 January, on Civil Procedure which regulates the procedure for age determination. These amendments, which aim to strengthen the legal protection of minors, call for: procedures with guarantees; legal assistance, which is mandatory from the start of the procedure, preferably provided by a lawyer specialising in the rights of children and adolescents; the presumption of minority be established from the beginning of the procedure and throughout the entire process; the existence of specialized training for all officials who form part of the procedure; a multidisciplinary approach, with the participation of qualified psychosocial and medical professionals; the creation of a uniform protocol that excludes invasive practices and guarantees informed consent for any expert evidence.