insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 23 - January 2017 | Page 95

LAW

DR. JOHN JUPP
CHAIRS UN
CONFERENCE
DISCUSSING
LEGAL SUPPORT
FOR VICTIMS OF
TERRORISM IN
AFGHANISTAN
Sussex law academic, Dr. John Jupp, chaired a conference at the
United Nations Office in Vienna last month, convened as part of
a research project on strengthening legal protection and support
for victims of acts of terrorism during criminal proceedings in
Afghanistan.

Reviewed and discussed at the conference by key stakeholders from
Afghanistan, John reported that "the conference in Vienna went very
well and provided a valuable forum for the delegates to undertake
a gap analysis of existing policies, laws and institutional capacity
against recognised international frameworks."

Working in collaboration with the UNODC Terrorism Prevention
Branch, John drafted an overview paper assessing the applicable
international and national legislative frameworks for supporting and
protecting victims of terrorism in Afghanistan.

"I will now start to draft a Good Practices Report based on our
discussions for translation and dissemination to the delegates,” he
added. "The anticipation is that the recommendations in the Good
Practices Report will go forward and form a valuable contribution to two
new critical laws which have relevance to victims of terrorism, namely
a new penal code and a law on compensation for victims of human
rights abuses, which are currently being drafted or are under review."

UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX FAMILY LAW CLINIC
The Family Law Clinic based at the
University of Sussex aims to provide a
public service to local people who seek legal
advice, but are not eligible for legal aid and
cannot afford to pay for a lawyer.
Working with experts within the university’s
law department, students give advice on a
range of matters that affect families – from
divorce and separation issues, to financial
and co-habitation concerns.

Dr. John Jupp, who is leading the Family
Law Clinic, said: “This is a real opportunity
for the local community to benefit from
the knowledge and expertise of our staff
while also giving our students invaluable
experience in developing their interview
skills and seeing at first hand law in practice.”
“Working in the Family Law Clinic was
highly rewarding. It reminded me that the
areas that we study in lectures and seminars
apply to people’s lives in a very real way,”
commented one of the Family Law Clinic

students. “It also taught me the importance
of showing compassion, as well as
professionalism. I hope that my time at the
clinic will not only be a useful experience on
my CV, but will remind me of what being a
lawyer is really about: helping people.”
The Family Law Clinic offers clients
30-minute interviews at the Freeman
Building at Sussex Law School on the
University’s Falmer campus every Wednesday
between 2pm and 6pm. The Clinic is
expected to open again on February 1st 2017.

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