The Joint European Union–Council of Europe Child-friendly Justice Project has recently launched a new assessment tool that offers EU Member States a practical framework to review how far their justice systems comply with child-friendly justice standards. The tool is designed to support self-assessment, identify gaps and guide reforms aimed at ensuring that judicial proceedings are accessible, age-appropriate, timely and centred on the child’s rights, needs and dignity.
Children participate in judicial proceedings in multiple roles, including as victims, witnesses, suspects, accused persons or parties. Recognising this reality, the new tool adopts a broad approach that goes beyond criminal justice to cover civil and administrative proceedings, as well as non-judicial proceedings.
This tool is structured around indicators that look at issues such as the availability of legal alternatives to proceedings, the use of specialised courts and trained professionals, and the prevention of secondary victimisation. One of the tool’s most significant features is its emphasis on implementation. Rather than focusing only on legislation, it asks states to assess how children actually experience justice systems, what data are available, and what actions should follow to strengthen compliance. In that sense, the assessment is intended not only as an evaluation instrument, but also as a roadmap for improvement.
By providing a common framework for reflection and reform, the tool seeks to help governments, institutions and practitioners advance child-friendly justice across the EU. It also reinforces a key principle running through the project: that child-friendly justice is not achieved by legal standards alone, but through consistent practice, professional training and the meaningful participation of children themselves.