News 2015

Registration of interstate orders/proceedings forms available on website

November 2015: Form 10: Application to register care and protection order in New South Wales and form 11: Application to register interstate care and protection proceedings in New South Wales available under Forms and Fees.

Amended Practice Note 3: Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Children's Court

November 2015: Practice Note 3: Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Children's Court was amended on 11 November 2015.

Legal Aid launch 'Best for Kids' website

On the 18th of August 2015, the Attorney General for NSW -Gabrielle Upton MP - launched the Best for Kids website produced by Legal Aid. This website has been specifically designed to provide information to children involved in criminal, care and protection, family law, Apprehended Violence Order matters. The website also provides information on general civil law, including employment related issues. The site also provides assistance for parents involved in family law and Apprehended Violence Order matters.

Representation principles for children's lawyers

The Law Society has produced the 4th edition of its publication on 'Representation principles for children's lawyers.'

Children's Law News Volume 2 2015 issued

June 2015: CLN Volume 2 includes a number of cases which are of relevance to the Children's Court jurisdiction.

Explaining legal terms to children guide

June 2015: The Children's Court acknowledges that children have different communication needs and is committed to helping children to better understand the court process and the orders that are made. In consultation with a speech therapist and teaching staff from Juvenile Justice, the Children's Court has developed a quick reference guide to help Court staff communicate with children in the criminal jurisdiction. The explaining legal terms to children guide gives examples of alternate definitions/explanations which may be used when explaining complex legal terms to children.​

New look website

​May 2015: The look of our website has changed, however the content remains the same. ​ 

​​New circuit arrangements commencing July and August 2015

May 2015: The President of the Children's Court, Judge Johnstone, has confirmed a number of changes to the Children's Court circuit arrangements. Changes to the Riverina circuit from 20 July 2015 will see care and protection cases from Deniliquin listed at Albury Children's Court for the case management phase of proceedings.

The Western circuit has expanded to include care and protection cases and education matters at Lithgow, Bathurst and Parkes in addition to Orange and Dubbo. New arrangements for this circuit will commence on 27 July 2015.

The Northern Rivers circuit has been expanded to include Coffs Harbour and will also now include Children's Court criminal and education cases in addition to care and protection cases. This circuit will increase from 2 to 4 weeks per months and will commence on 3 August 2015.

The Mid North Coast care and protection circuit will now include Taree in lieu of Coffs Harbour and will also commence 3 August 2015.

A new Hunter circuit incorporating Cessnock, Muswellbrook, Maitland and Raymond Terrace courts for care and protection. Children's Court criminal and education cases will operate 2 weeks per month commencing 10 August 2015.

A specialist Children's Magistrate or the President will preside over each circuit.

Go to Children's Court circuit ​​arrangements 2015 for full details of the changes.

​Amended Youth Koori Court Practice Note issued

March 2015: The Youth Koori Court Practice Note 11, was amended on 5th March 2015.

Children's Law News Volume 1 2015 issued

February 2015: CLN Volume 1 includes a number of cases which are of relevance to the Children's Court jurisdiction.

Bail Reforms Commence Wednesday 28 January 2015

January 2015: The reforms in the Bail Amendment Act 2014 commence on Wednesday 28 January 2015. The Children's Court has amended the Summary of Reasons for Bail Decision of Court forms to accord with the amended Act.

New Look Care and Protection Forms

January 2015: The appearance of the Children's Court care and protection Forms has changed in accordance with the NSW Government's Website Content Accessibility Guidelines. This will ensure that the content of the forms can be accessed by Children's Court users who require assistive technology, such as a screen reader.

Youth Koori Court Practice Note and Factsheet Issued

January 2015: The Youth Koori Court Pilot is to commence on the 6th of February at Parramatta Children's Court. Practice Note 11 was issued on the 16th of January 2015. Additionally, the Children's Court has issued a Youth Koori Court Factsheet.