Manasa Rudrakshala, School of Legal Studies, CMR University, Bangalore
ABSTRACT
Access to justice is an inherent and inalienable right which should be guaranteed to all human beings. It essentially refers to an individual’s ability to seek remedy and redressal for violation of their rights.
Access to justice is typically spoken about in relation marginalized and minority groups facing denial of access to justice. One such group is children – individuals below the age of 18. Besides being humans who should be guaranteed the right to access justice as an inherent right, children, because of their age and lack of maturity, have been regarded as needing extra efforts and measures for their protection and enforcement of their rights. Although recognized as a group of human beings who are vested with legal, enforceable rights, their right to access justice is often hampered.
This paper will understand children’s access to justice. Firstly, it will look into a child’s right to access justice in theory, as specified by international conventions and norms. Secondly, it will understand the importance of ensuring a child’s right to access justice. Thirdly, it will study children’s access to justice in reality by exploring the impediments and obstacles which hinder a child from accessing justice. Fourthly, it will explore various measures and initiatives taken by different countries across the world in ensuring children’s access to justice. Lastly, this paper will provide a number of recommendations as to what can be done to effectively ensure children’s right to access.
