Child Friendly Justice

1st Edition, Academic Year 2025/2026

Start date: 6 Jul, 2026
End date: 10 Jul, 2026

Schedule

Morning course.

What will I learn in this course?

Lusófona Law University offers summer courses annually, always including at least one which offers an introduction on the major features of human rights law. The courses can be combined in tracks with one of the other summer schools of Lusófona Law University. Summer School will take place at the Campus of the University during July 2026. The classes will be intensive and taught in English. Each summer school has a duration of one week. Lusófona Law University, as a member of OCEAN - Open Council of Europe Network, will bring researchers, professors and practitioners from Europe and the Council of Europe, improving exchange experiences and knowledge, and recommending complementary study with HELP Courses from the Council of Europe. In this summer school you will learn about children´s human rights and legal instruments, as well as the Recommendations of the Council of Europe for timely and child-friendly justice when facing the legal system.

Main reasons for choosing this course

• International perspective and approach.
• Council of Europe standards.
• Human Rights based.

Technical and professional skills that I will acquire

Legal knowledge and practical skills related to child-friendly justice and children’s rights.

Profile of the candidates for whom the course is intended

Legal professionals and law students.

Program

Family and Children’s Law - 6 ECTS

Scientific areas of the course

Law

Observations

• Programme includes UN Children’s Convention and Child Friendly Justice Principles;
• Child Friendly Justice in legal proceedings; CM/Rec(2025)4/5;
• Children’s hearing and participation; good administration of justice and effective measures;
• Domestic violence and abuse, and Istanbul Convention.
• Assessment Methodology: 70% attendance and a written assignment.
• Course taught in English.

Child-friendly justice is a 2010 Council of Europe recommendation aimed at implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in member states. While not legally binding, the recommendations have been widely accepted by member states. The Council of Europe's 2022-2027 child-friendly justice program is in effect, subdivided into six main pillars: protection of child victims of violence; equal opportunities and social inclusion; safe access to technology; a voice for all children; and children’s rights in crisis and emergency situations. Two recommendations from the Council of Europe were published on May 28, 2025: one on the rights of children of separated parents (CM/Rec(2025)4) and the other on the rights of children in foster care (CM/Rec(2025)5).