IBA access to justice for children survey – Scottish responses sought

The committee is working with the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law on a research project, looking at access to justice for children, exploring obstacles and solutions across jurisdictions.

The study will examine the main challenges children face when they come into contact with the law and the justice system as offenders, victims or witnesses; assess the strategies and solutions employed across jurisdictions to address these challenges; and explore the transfer of good practices to inform access to justice across jurisdictions.

The briefing paper and the survey can be accessed at:

http://www.ibanet.org/PPID/Constituent/AccesstoJustice_LegalAid/Projects.aspx.

Andrew Mackenzie, communications officer of the IBA Access to Justice and Legal Aid Committee and chief executive of the Scottish Arbitration Centre, said: “Access to justice is at the core of guaranteeing children’s rights, but legal systems often make it difficult or impossible for children to obtain redress for rights violations.

“Lawyers involved in advocacy, law reform, drafting of new legislation, legal education and providing legal assistance and representation have a huge opportunity to support and contribute to improving access to justice worldwide.

“The access to justice committee welcomes responses to the survey from any individual or body involved in child right issues. I am particularly keen that we have some expert responses from Scotland.”

The report on the survey will be launched at IBA Washington DC in September. The deadline for responses is 30 June.