- October 31, 2025
- Posted by: Colm Hurley
- Category: News
Denise Kirwan, Partner at Comyn Kelleher Tobin LLP, attended the official launch of the updated Child-friendly Justice course developed by the Council of Europe’s HELP Programme. The event took place in Strasbourg and brought together legal professionals and experts from across Europe to mark the release of the revised training module.
The HELP (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) Programme supports the implementation of European human rights standards by providing structured training to legal professionals. The Child-friendly Justice course was updated under the EU-CoE HELP in the EU IV Project, which aims to enhance digitalisation and improve the application of human rights law across EU Member States. The course incorporates recent developments in European case law and legal frameworks, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and relevant EU directives.
The course addresses how children interact with justice systems in various contexts, including family law, administrative proceedings, and criminal justice. It highlights the need for justice systems to be adapted to the specific needs of children, ensuring that legal processes are accessible and appropriate for their age and understanding. The Council of Europe’s Guidelines on Child-friendly Justice serve as a key reference point for the course content.
Denise Kirwan will be undertaking the course, which is designed to support legal professionals in understanding and applying child-focused human rights standards. The training includes interactive modules, case studies, and exercises that reflect current legal standards and practices across Europe.
The launch event provided an opportunity for participants to engage with the course developers and discuss the practical implementation of child-friendly justice principles. It also facilitated knowledge exchange among professionals working in child law, human rights, and justice reform.
For more information on CKT’s work in this area, or to speak with a member of our team, please visit Childcare Law or contact ckt@ckt.ie.