Everything below is drawn directly from our governing constitution — the same document that binds our founders, advisors and every member who joins us.
Junior Court Counsel is an apolitical, youth-found and youth-led organisation with the mandate to raise legal awareness amongst young people and adolescents in Zimbabwe — thereby promoting legal empowerment and emancipation, and fostering interest in governance and leadership. We also seek to provide for basic children's rights in marginalised communities, giving them legal awareness alongside practical support.
This constitution is the supreme law of the organisation — any code or practice inconsistent with it is void. It binds every member at every level, including founding members, partners and advisors, without exception.
To create and increase awareness of the legal frameworks governing Zimbabwe amongst youth and adolescents, thereby creating legal empowerment and emancipation.
A short, deliberate phrase — the standard every activity, publication and outreach is measured against.
To create peace amongst Zimbabwean youth, build just societies for young people to live in, and nurture the next generation of legal experts.
The constitution establishes three organs — advisory, planning and implementation — each with a distinct mandate.
Exists purely to advise the governing board. All advisors are non-JCC members, the board holds an odd number of seats, at least three advisors at any time, and appointments go strictly on merit and track record.
The planning organ responsible for policy formulation. Composed of JCC members in an odd number with gender balance respected at all times: the Founding CEO, Deputy CEO, Secretary and Treasurer.
The implementing agent for all programs and activities, managing human and non-human resources across five departments — open only to JCC members.
Our Annual General Meeting is held once a year, toward the end of the financial year, where the Executive Board reports on achievements, members vote on constitutional changes, and policy decisions are made. Ordinary meetings bring the Executive Board, Standing Committee and general membership together once every two months.
Our financial year ends every November. The organisation's bank account requires two signatures for any commitment — the Founding CEO plus either the Treasurer or Secretary — and an independent accounting officer reviews our records within six months of year-end.