International law firm DLA Piper has announced a £980,000 partnership over three years with the United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef) to help it expand its global child justice work, and ensure that children coming into contact with the law are better served and protected.

DLA Piper is to pledge the funds through corporate donations and fundraising, with employees encouraged to raise funds. It will also provide over £3m worth of pro bono support to the UK committee for Unicef, preparing tools and training resources such as a ‘Justice for Children’ handbook and a training package for child protection staff.

The first task for the partnership will be to support Unicef’s child justice work in Bangladesh, where the law firm’s support will help to improve the standards of care and treatment for children who come into contact with the law as victims, witnesses and offenders.

DLA Piper global co-chairman Tony Angel said: ‘As lawyers, the right to justice is something we feel very strongly about. We are proud to be able to use our skills to help address a significant global issue with the aim of making a positive impact for future generations.’