Despite ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), children in Ireland face significant barriers in accessing justice, such as limited awareness, lack of advocacy services, outdated civil legal aid, and structural issues within the justice system. Marginalised children, including those living in poverty or from ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities, are disproportionately affected.

 The main purpose of a general comment by the Committee on the Rights of the Child is to promote the implementation of the Convention at national level.

General Comment No. 27 will clarify concepts and terminology in relation to children’s rights to access to justice and effective remedies.

In this submission, CLM recommends establishing publicly funded children’s law centres, improving legal aid and training for legal professionals, and creating a dedicated child-friendly justice system with measures like class actions, dedicated child court liaison officers, and urgent prioritisation of children’s rights cases.