The Bar of Ireland is inviting support and participation for its Justice Week 2020 awareness campaign which runs next week.

The aim of Justice Week is to promote awareness of access-to-justice issues and the rule of law.

The particular focus of the 2020 campaign is to engage with under-25s to improve their understanding of the importance of the justice system, and to demonstrate the possibilities that the law can provide in protecting their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Themes

Each day, Monday to Thursday, 24^-27 February, will carry a distinct theme: 

• Monday 24                  Protecting freedom,
• Tuesday 25                 Fighting for rights,
• Wednesday 26            Defending democracy,
• Thursday 27               Saving the planet.

The week is a unique platform for all those with an interest in access to justice and rule of law, to highlight their work and campaigns.

Activities, policy priorities and research can be promoted using the #justiceweek tag.

The Bar of Ireland wants to establish the week across the wider justice and legal policy community.

Debate beween law schools 

Activities include: 

• A debate between the main university law schools on the theme of “This Housebelieves that law is politics by other means”, under the theme of Defending Democracy
• A mock trial between the students of St. Audeon’s National School under the theme of Protecting Freedom
• Video content based on interviews from those working in the justice field, in particular on the theme of ‘Saving the Planet’ and ‘Fighting for Rights’ 
• Highlights of some of policy and public interest initiatives, for example in the context of family law and court resourcing

The Bar Council of England and Wales, Bar of Northern Ireland and the Faculty of Advocates, Scotland, and many other voices in the legal policy and justice sector, will also be involved.