The Republic of Cyprus had the honour of hosting the award ceremony for the Council of Europe’s “Crystal Scales of Justice” Prize, organized by the Cyprus Judicial Training School and “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center, as winners of the 2023 competition, in cooperation with the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) of the Council of Europe.
The Crystal Scales of Justice Prize recognises innovative practices that improve access to justice and enhance the efficiency and quality of judicial systems across Europe. Through this event, Cyprus celebrates excellence, innovation, and the tireless commitment to making justice more accessible to all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable — the children.
The ceremony began with welcome addresses delivered by esteemed speakers, Rea Limnatitou, Director of the Cyprus Judicial Training School, Andria Neocleous, Executive Director of “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center and Francesco Depasquale, President of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice of the Council of Europe (CEPEJ).
Before the award ceremony, the psychoeducational tool “Kids in Court Game,” winner of the 2023 Prize, was presented by Dr Marilena Kyriakidou and Dr Alexia Zalaf. The “Kids in Court Game” was created by Sheffield Hallam University in collaboration with “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center and the University of Nicosia. The tool is used to prepare and support child victims of sexual abuse and helps children understand the judicial process in an age-appropriate way, empowering them to feel more comfortable and informed before participating in court proceedings.
Muriel Decot, Executive Secretary of the CEPEJ, gave a brief introduction on the work of the Council of Europe on Child Friendly Justice which was then followed by an expert panel discussion on “Vulnerable Witnesses and Child Friendly Justice in Cyprus” coordinated by George Erotocritou. The panel featured distinguished professionals - Ioanna Drousiotou, Co-ordinator, Clinical Psychologist, Children’s House – Hope For Children, Michaela Pasiardis, Senior Counsel of the Republic, Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus, Alexia Kountouri, Lawyer and Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, Cyprus Bar Association and Elena Efrem, Justice, Supreme Court of Cyprus, who shared insights on improving judicial practices and multidisciplinary cooperation in handling child abuse cases.
The finalists for the 2025 Crystal Scales of Justice Prize were Belgium with the project “Support Center for Conservatorship” of the Flemish Justices of Peace, the Netherlands with the “Debt Officer” project from the Dutch Council of the Judiciary, and Spain with the Ministry of Justice’s “Hyper-automation of Order for Payment Procedures in Justice.” François Paychère, President of the Crystal Scales Jury Committee and accompanied by jury members Simon Cardon de Lichtbuer, Svjetlana Milisic Velickovski and Phani Hadjiphani presented their feedback on the three finalist teams. Francesco Depasquale, President of the CEPEJ announced The Netherlands as the winner of the 2025 Crystal Scales of Justice Prize.
The ceremony, which brought together prominent figures from across the Cypriot judicial and legal system and professionals from all fields related to the handling of child abuse cases, concluded with a shared message of collaboration and hope, reflecting Cyprus’s ongoing efforts to strengthen justice for all, especially for children, and to promote pioneering practices that ensure fairness, accessibility, and humanity in courts across Europe.
Among the distinguished attendees were the President of the Supreme Constitutional Court and President of the Supreme Court of Cyprus, the Attorney General of the Republic, the Chairman of the Legal Affairs, Justice and Public Order Committee of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, the Assistant Chief of Police, the Law Commissioner of Cyprus and the Founder of Hope For Children.
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