Within the scope of the EU-CoE Joint Project on "Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members", on 24 April 2024, a delegation consisting of representatives of the Justice Academy and the Council of Europe with the participation of Mr William Massolin, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara paid a visit to the President of the Izmir Bar Association, Atty Sefa YILMAZ, the Rector of Izmir University of Economics, Prof Dr Yusuf Hakan ABACIOĞLU and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Dr Sevilay UZUNALLI and thanked the authorities for their support in establishment of Family Courts Law Clinic. The delegation also met with the law clinic students and listened to their experiences and opinions about the law clinic.
In the same context, on 26 April 2024, a delegation consisting of representatives of the Council of Europe, Justice Academy and Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Law with the participation of Mr. Muhittin ÖZDEMİR, President of the Justice Academy of Türkiye visited Mr Fahri Mutlu TOSUN, Chief Public Prosecutor of Izmir and Mr Oktay TABUR, President of Izmir Justice Commission and thanked the judicial authorities for their cooperation.
Under the supervision of the Council of Europe and the Justice Academy of Türkiye and in coordination with the family court judges working in Izmir, public prosecutors working in the domestic violence bureau and local judicial units, notably the Izmir Bar Association, students of the Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Law will provide legal information to citizens who resort to the family court about the family-related proceedings at the Izmir Courthouse.
An evaluation report will be prepared and published on the practices carried out in the Izmir Family Courts Law Clinic, which will continue its activities until the end of May, and the effects of these practices on citizens' and especially women’s access to justice.
The “Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members” Project is co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe and Justice Academy of Türkiye. The Project aims to ensure that the rule of law and fundamental rights in Turkey are fully in line with international and European standards and to improve the effectiveness of family courts in protecting the rights of women, children, and other family members.
