Liability of children for debt

[Chrisunula]

I believe that children cannot be liable for a debt as, except in a few limited circumstances (food, clothes), they cannot form a contract. But can a parent/guardian become liable for a debt caused by a child, if there is no criminal act or parental negligence - e.g. a fine for a child forgetting their railcard? Logic suggests that if a child cannot be liable, then then is no debt that the parent can become liable for.

[des8]

Could you give us more details of what your concerns are.
You mention a child and a fine.
Fines are imposed by courts, so presumably this is not a fine but some sort of penalty imposed by the rail company for the child travelling without his railcard

The parents are not liable but the rail company will try and get their money anyway.
You can deny your liability, to which they will probably agree, but still say the (now increased) penalty is due.
If you don't pay the company could (but probably won't) threaten youth court.