Young people in detention (10–17) are routinely appearing in court via video link. There is little research on the use of video-link technology for court appearances for this age group. This project maps current practice through systematic courtroom observations, backed up by interviews with judges, lawyers, police, court personnel and others involved in the youth justice system. It identifies strategies to improve current video-link processes and changes to protocols needed to minimise the risk of adverse outcomes for the children appearing via this technology.