What we do
Legal representation of children
Making children’s voices heard and defending their rights in proceedings that concern them.
Children have the right to be informed in a manner appropriate to their age and situation and to express their views in all proceedings affecting them, in accordance with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Child representation ensures their participation and that their rights, needs and best interests are taken into account in the decisions that concern them.
ISS Switzerland offers a child representation service before the authorities and courts in Switzerland. Support throughout the proceedings is personalised and interdisciplinary. It may include interviews with the child, an analysis of their situation and needs, help in understanding what is at stake in the proceedings, and measures to make their voice heard and assert their rights.
Legal assistance for unaccompanied minors in the canton of Geneva
On behalf of the Geneva Child Protection Service (SPMi) or the Adult and Child Protection Court, ISS Switzerland provides legal assistance to unaccompanied foreign minors in the canton of Geneva.
Our lawyers specialising in asylum and foreign nationals law represent children before the competent authorities and defend their interests in proceedings concerning, in particular, asylum, removal or the withdrawal of temporary admission. They can also submit applications for residence permits or family reunification on the child’s behalf and advise deputies.
Child representation in family law in the German-speaking cantons
On behalf of a child and adult protection authority (KESB) or a court, ISS Switzerland provides professional child representation that takes account of the child’s age, situation and intercultural background.
Under Article 9 of the Federal Act on International Child Abduction and the Hague Conventions on the Protection of Children and Adults (BG-KKE), a child representative within the meaning of Article 314abis of the Swiss Civil Code must be appointed in child abduction cases to defend the child’s interests and enable them to make their voice heard. Our legal expert represents children before the authorities and courts in German-speaking Switzerland and specialises in child abduction proceedings before the Swiss courts.
Child representation is also offered in other civil proceedings concerning the child, such as placement outside the family home, arrangements for parental authority and contact rights, child protection cases, conflicts of interest with the authorities or the parents, or where there is a risk of loyalty conflicts towards the parents.
Asma is granted asylum and reunited with her mother in Switzerland
In 2016, the asylum application of Asma*, an Eritrean national who had arrived in Switzerland at the age of 11, was rejected. Following an appeal lodged by ISS Switzerland highlighting a risk of family persecution, Asma was granted asylum in 2018. Her deputy then asked us to take the necessary steps for family reunification with her mother. After an initial refusal, the authorities agreed to grant Asma’s mother an entry and residence permit for Switzerland under the European Convention on Human Rights.
* Name changed