The Scaled Approach system, due to be introduced in November, will require youth offending teams to tailor interventions with young offenders according to their likelihood of reoffending.
But legal experts are claiming factors used to determine levels of intervention could be deemed discriminatory against particular groups.
Julia Thomas, practice manager at the Children's Legal Centre and a solicitor specialising in judicial review and other High Court actions, branded the Scaled Approach a "very ill-judged document". An offender will be judged according to factors such as family relationships, education and employment.
Experts say these criteria could lead to discrimination against those from disadvantaged backgrounds, while criteria such as emotional health could discriminate against people with autism.
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