Simmons & Simmons have advised Child Soldiers (CSI) in relation to an online global report relating to the application of international laws pertaining to the recruitment of child soldiers.

The Child Soldiers World Index, developed by human rights group CSI, is the first comprehensive worldwide resource on child recruitment. The index, maps the shocking scale of child exploitation by armed forces and non-state armed groups around the world.

As the first online resource of its kind, the World Index is unique in allowing users to access detailed information on recruitment policies, international treaties and more, for all 197 UN Member States.

The Simmons & Simmons team was led by partner Richard Dyton and Lawyer Charlotte Carrington, and included eight trainee solicitors who verified the report, covering all 197 UN Members States. The Child Soldiers World Index, which includes more than 10,000 data points, will include authoritative data on national laws, policies and child recruitment practices worldwide.

Simmons & Simmons Lawyer, Charlotte Carrington commented: “We are delighted to have assisted CSI with this project and are proud to have played a part in launching the Child Soldiers World Index – a first online resource of its kind and an invaluable tool for shedding light on this important issue. We look forward to working with CSI further in the next phase of the project.”

Speaking on the resource, Rachel Taylor, Director of Programmes at Child Soldiers International, said: “The Child Soldiers World Index will be an invaluable resource for child protection actors, advocates, researchers, experts and policymakers in the fight to end child recruitment. In giving a global picture on the current and historic state of child recruitment we are able to map trends and gaps, promote best practice, support research and advocacy, inform policy decisions and hold states to account.

“Researching, analysing and verifying more than 10,000 data points contained in the World Index required a great team effort and we are extremely thankful for the pro bono support we received from Simmons & Simmons and other organisations. We look forward to collaborating further in the next phase of the project.”