The following section is inserted in the Act of 2001 after section 257F:

"257G. Legal aid.

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a child who is the subject of an application for a behaviour order may be granted a certificate for free legal aid (in this Part referred to as a "legal aid (behaviour order) certificate") in preparation for and representation at the hearing of -

(a) the application,

(b) any application by the child or his or her parents or guardian to vary or discharge a behaviour order,

(c) any appeal by the child against the making of the behaviour order, or

(d) any proceedings in the High Court or Supreme Court arising out of the making of the application, the appeal or any subsequent proceedings.

(2) A legal aid (behaviour order) certificate may not be granted under subsection (1) unless it appears to the court hearing the application for the certificate -

(a) that the means of the child concerned or of his or her parents or guardian are insufficient to enable him or her to obtain legal aid, and

(b) that, by reason of the gravity of the alleged anti-social behaviour or of exceptional circumstances, it is essential in the interests of justice that the child should have legal aid in preparation for and representation at the hearing concerned.

(3) A child who is granted a legal aid (behaviour order) certificate is entitled -