The concept of introducing specialization of judges in family and children's cases

The development of child-friendly justice and the implementation of its various elements remains the focus of priority actions of both the international community and Ukrainian bodies and agencies. A child-centered approach is a key factor in a number of domestic reforms of the judiciary and the system of protection of children's rights, which determines the need (necessity) for the specialization of specialists related to working with children and protecting their rights and interests. The current legislation does not provide for the mandatory specialization of judges in family and children's cases, and the relevant specialization has not been supported in the practice of judicial organization. The appropriate systematization of aspects of national policy and international standards, which would become an impetus for the introduction of specialization of judges, can manifest itself in the formation of a separate «Concept» as a regulatory tool and a practical guideline. The inclusion in the strategic and programmatic documents of the task of introducing the specialization of judges for the consideration of civil cases related to the rights of the child and the consideration of cases arising from family legal relations indicates an understanding of the importance of such changes in the best interests of the child and the presence of the state's desire to implement them. Universal and regional international standards guide countries to introduce specialization of judges in cases involving children, this is one of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is addressed to our country, and the very approach of the international community and the international obligations undertaken by Ukraine requires implementation appropriate approach in national legislation and law enforcement practice. The article carries out a scientific analysis of the foundations of the implementation of the concept of specialization of judges in the consideration of family and children's cases, as a component of a comprehensive system of protection of the rights of every child who comes into contact with the justice system, in accordance with international standards, recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and priorities of the Council of Europe and of the European Union.