Gender Justice Courts Are Being Rolled Out at County Level. Family Law Practice Is Changing.

Key Data

STAJ includes the establishment and expansion of specialised courts, including gender justice courts, children's courts, and small claims courts. The gender justice court model is designed to handle gender-based violence, family disputes, and related matters through child-sensitive and trauma-informed procedures. County-level rollout is underway.

What Is Happening

Specialised courts are proliferating across the Kenyan justice system. The gender justice court model follows the pattern established by the anti-corruption court, the tax court, and the environment and land court. Each specialisation creates its own procedural norms, evidentiary standards, and practice culture. Gender justice courts will be no different.

Why It Is Happening

The creation of gender justice courts is driven by three factors: the volume of GBV cases overwhelming general magistrates' courts, the recognition that standard adversarial procedures re-traumatise vulnerable witnesses, and Kenya's constitutional and international obligations to protect women and children's rights (Article 27, Article 53, CEDAW, Maputo Protocol).

Practice Impact and Revenue

For family law practitioners, gender justice courts change the procedural environment. Advocates will need to be trained in trauma-informed advocacy, child-sensitive procedures, and the specific rules of practice that these courts develop.

For criminal defence lawyers, GBV matters handled in gender justice courts may involve different bail and sentencing considerations.

For public interest lawyers, the establishment of specialised courts creates new forums for strategic litigation on gender equality.

Specialisation commands premium fees. Advocates certified in trauma-informed practice or accredited with gender justice courts will be preferred counsel for GBV matters, custody disputes, and protection order applications. Training in gender justice court procedure is itself a CPD product that can be sold to other practitioners.

Strategic Insight — What Most Advocates Will Miss

Specialised courts create specialised practitioners. When the Environment and Land Court was established, it created an entire sub-profession of ELC specialists. Gender justice courts will do the same. The advocates who build expertise early will define the practice area for the next decade.