The Protection of Children: International Instruments and Judicial

About the course

This course offers judicial officers, legal practitioners, and justice sector professionals the opportunity to deepen their understanding of international child protection law, focusing on the Hague Convention and combating child trafficking.

Drawing on African and global perspectives, it combines practical case-based learning with academic insight to strengthen judicial reasoning, integrity, and effectiveness in handling complex cross-border family law and severe human rights violations affecting children.

Participants will explore the philosophical underpinnings of key instruments, tackle real-world procedural challenges, and develop tools to ensure a victim-centred, rights-based approach in their courtrooms.

This course is designed for:

• Sitting judges and magistrates handling family, civil, or criminal law;
• Prosecutors and state attorneys specialising in child protection or human trafficking;
• Judicial trainers and legal researchers focused on children's rights.
• Participants should have relevant professional experience in the justice system.

What graduates say: 

• "The practical case studies on Hague Convention defences were immediately applicable to my docket. I returned to my court with new confidence in handling international abduction cases."
•  "This course masterfully connects international law to the courtroom. The sessions on trauma-informed judging for trafficking victims were eye-opening and transformative for my practice."
•  "A vital programme for any judge dealing with children's issues. The focus on ensuring the child's voice is heard in proceedings is a principle I now apply daily."

Course Convenor: Dr. Mathilda Twomey, Academic Director, JIFA. With contributions from senior members of the African judiciary, academics from the University of Cape Town and other universities, and invited experts.

Course content

• Expert-led lectures and discussions guided by leading international jurists and child protection specialists;
• Interactive breakout groups for in-depth analysis of complex case studies on abduction and trafficking;
• Practical exercises in drafting judgments and orders to safeguard children at risk;
• Multimedia resources including videos and case digests to contextualise learning;
• Plenary feedback sessions to share insights and refine judicial approaches.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Interpret and apply the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, including key defences and remedies.
• Analyse the international legal framework on child trafficking and its intersection with domestic legislation.
• Identify the multifarious forms of child trafficking and the socio-economic factors that put children at risk.
• Implement a trauma-informed, victim-centred approach in judicial proceedings involving children.
• Craft rulings that effectively synthesise domestic and international law to provide maximum protection for children's rights.

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Judicial Institute for Africa (JIFA), Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town.

Course cost

Cost TBC. Includes full access to course materials, discussion forums, and certification. Institutional and group enrolment options are available.

Registration

Register and enrol directly with the course provider. Once you have submitted the form, you will be contacted by the JIFA team to confirm the payment processing. Please note that registrations will not be considered complete until payment has been made. The course will only proceed once the minimum number of participants has been reached.

More information

Phone: (+27) 21 650 2098
Email: jifa@uct.ac.za

The Protection of Children: International Instruments and Judicial