A Review of Handbook for Child Courts (Published by the Sindh Judicial Academy)

Abstract

The Handbook is an important document which is made available by the Sindh Judicial Academy and Group Development Pakistan for the judges, lawyers, prosecutors, probation, reclamation and police officers working in the Province of Sindh. However, keeping in view its contents and the fact that the juvenile law is a federal legislation, it will be equally relevant for all-across Pakistan. As it is available online free of cost, the justice sector human resource must consult it as and when required. Of course, with due consideration to the rights of SJA and GDP, other judicial academies may also develop their own versions of this Handbook to suit their local and regional needs. I am sure that the publishers will be happy to cooperate in this regard. Overall, the language, style and contents of the Handbook are praiseworthy. It also shows that the leadership being provided to the Sindh Judicial Academy by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, as its Acting Director-General, is commendable. Authors also deserve special appreciation in this regard. Sindh Judicial Academy has created an example for other judicial academies to work on developing bench-books for judges and court staff on various topics so that quality of justice administered in courts is improved. As per my opening paragraphs of this review, I would like to recommend a chapter on Islamic guidance on children rights may be added in this Handbook. This will significantly improve the value of this judicial education tool to make it more relevant and exactly within the line of Pakistani constitutionalism.