At the consultation on the position and role of children in court proceedings, which was prepared on 27 November 2024 by the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, mag. Urška Klakočar Zupančič, Deputy Ombudsman Dr Jože Ruparčič stressed the necessity of faster resolution of cases in which children are involved. "Prolonged procedures affecting children have serious consequences for their emotional and psychological development, so it is necessary to ensure that such cases are dealt with more efficiently and quickly," he said.

At the consultation, representatives of non-governmental organisations and state institutions pointed out, in addition to the length of court proceedings, the lack of judicial experts and an inappropriate approach to children. They put together proposals for measures and highlighted the greatest benefit to children.

In his speech, Dr Jože Ruparčič emphasised that children are especially exposed to the harmful effects of lengthy legal proceedings due to their vulnerability. "Long-term uncertainty and family conflicts can cause anxiety, stress, depression and other mental problems in children, which negatively affect their emotional and social development, so it is imperative to act in their best interests," he said.

He noted that international conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are clear that decisions affecting children must be made quickly and in their best interest. The Human Rights Ombudsman will continue to draw attention to the need to reform and improve judicial procedures in order to ensure a stable and supportive environment for children, he added.