The Youth Justice System of Ireland is based on the Children Act 2001. The institutions involved, as well as relevant laws and policies, vary depending on whether the child is a suspect or victim. For the most part witnesses are treated in the same way as victims though victims' rights are more...

In Hungary specialised prosecutors and judges deal with cases involving children defendants. However there is no specialised court or prosecution service dealing exclusively with cases involving children. Police officers who deal with children as victims, witnesses and defendants do not receive...

In Greece juvenile courts are constitutionally established in order to adjudicate cases involving child suspects/defendants. Juvenile judges serve in these specialised courts; however, they are not obliged to undergo specific training before taking this position. During the criminal proceedings...

The criminal judicial system for children victims and witnesses as well as for suspects in Germany can be considered overall as child-friendly and mainly exemplary in taking into account the child's age, physical and mental well-being as well as their educational needs. The protection of child...

The main principles of juvenile justice are established in a 1945 law on criminal law relating to children. Reintegration and re-education are prioritised over sanctions. A specialised jurisdiction, the Juvenile Court, ensures this objective is attained through the individualisation of...

Maltese law provides some special measures for children involved in criminal proceedings. However, these are rather limited and very often the position of the child victim, witness or suspect is similar to that of an adult involved in criminal proceedings. This means that children and adults...

Belgium has established a youth protection system to deal with child suspects as well as children in danger and in need of protection (under which victims and witnesses may fall). As a result, a specialised judicial authority, the Youth Tribunal, is in charge of dealing with children in judicial...

The promotion and protection of the rights of the child is one of the objectives of the EU on which the Treaty of Lisbon has put further emphasis. This report is part of a study 'to collect data on children's involvement in judicial proceedings in the EU' which supports the implementation of the...

The Austrian criminal justice system provides for extensive rights for children, in particular for child victims. The system for the most part takes into account the best interests of the child, adapting to the level of development and special requirements of the child. The specific rights of...

In general Croatia has a well-developed institutional and legal framework of child-friendly justice in criminal proceedings. With respect to the legal framework, Croatia is a signatory party to all relevant international conventions in this matter and has adopted numerous laws and secondary...