Programmes
Citizens’ Watch International aims to advance sound administration of law by offering learning opportunities for young lawyers in Russia and other Post-Soviet countries.
Through training, professional discussions with English colleagues and observing court proceedings in the UK, lawyers from Russia and other countries can learn practical skills in criminal litigation; exchange views on adversary trial, equality of arms, confidentiality, professional ethics and procedural issues; and use the knowledge gained for their professional development.
Our Programmes provide opportunities for participants to compare criminal proceedings, share best practices, exchange views on protecting the professional interests of the legal community and be engaged in today’s international legal dialogue.
Leading experts and practitioners take part in various events of the Programme as trainers, lecturers and speakers.
Quote from Russian lawyer visiting London on 2016 study visit
2022-23 Programme
Cross-Border Family Disputes over Children
On the theme of Child Abduction, CWI organised a training workshop which took place on 10-11 March 2023 in Yerevan. Sixty lawyers from Armenia, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic and the United Kingdom shared their experiences related to the application and enforcement of The Convention on the Civil Aspects of the International Child Abduction in their jurisdictions.
2020-21 Programme
Protection of Victim’s Rights
Continuing a series of initiatives aimed at improving legal assistance to vulnerable groups in Russia, CWI organised a training programme on victim support in cooperation with the Legal Training Centre (St Petersburg) and Solicitors International Human Rights Group.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the training this year was delivered in a remote mode. However, it provided an opportunity for a larger audience from distant Russian regions to join the programme online.
The programme included a video course consisting of eight talks by British and Russian experts, individual home assignments and the final workshop in St Petersburg. An overview of the victim support system in England and Wales and recommendations for Russian lawyers were published on the website of The Legal Training Centre.
2019-20 Programme
Protection of Children’s Rights
Building on the work of the past years, the objective of the programme is to continue raising the professional standards of Russian legal practitioners through targeted training.
Members of Bar Associations from St Petersburg, the Leningrad Region and other towns in Russia, as well as lawyers working with local NGOs supporting children are invited to take part in the training activities.
The programme includes an introductory workshop in St Petersburg run by Russian and English experts; individual case analyses done by the trainees; a study visit of a Russian delegation to London; and a final presentation of the project outcomes.
2018-19 Programme
Access to Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence in Russia
Our new training programme began in November 2018. A series of training events is organised for young Russian lawyers, including workshops in St Petersburg run by Russian and UK experts, individual research projects and a study visit of the target group to the UK.
Members of Bar Associations from St Petersburg, the Leningrad Region and other towns in the Northwest of Russia, as well as lawyers working with local NGOs providing assistance to victims of domestic abuse, are invited to take part in the project activities.
As a result of this project, Russian lawyers will be able to defend the rights of victims of domestic abuse more efficiently and ensure that these persons get unhindered access to justice and a fair trial in accordance with the rule of law and international human rights standards.
Access to Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence in Russia
2018-19 Programme
This training programme was launched in November 2018. A series of training events is organised for yourn Russian lawyers, including workshopes in St Petersburg run by Russian and UK experts, individual research projects and a study visit of the target group to the UK.
Access to Justice for Vulnerable Groups in Russia
2017-18 Programme
This initiative began in September 2017 and is the next stage of CWI’s long term educational programme, aiming to improve access to justice for two vulnerable groups in Russia – migrants and persons with disabilities.
Raising the Professional Standards of Defence Lawyers in Russia
2016-17 Programme
This training programme was launched in St Petersburg in October 2016, consisting of a series of educational events and exchange of experience for practising defence lawyers in the North West of Russia.
Citizens’ Watch International
Citizens’ Watch International is a UK registered charity dedicated to promoting access to justice where human rights are at risk, particularly in Russia and the former Soviet Bloc countries.