CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ACT 2004 - SECT 145

CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ACT 2004 - SECT 145

145 .         Conduct of protection proceedings generally

        (1)         Protection proceedings are to be conducted with as little formality and legal technicality as the circumstances of the case permit.

        (2)         Without limiting subsection (1), if the child is present in court, protection proceedings are to be conducted in a way that is sensitive to the child’s level of understanding.

        (3)         Protection proceedings are to be concluded as expeditiously as possible so as to minimise the risk of detrimental effects arising from delay in decision-making.

        (3A)         Subsection (3) does not prevent an adjournment of proceedings to allow for a trial period for particular arrangements or for other appropriate reasons.

        (4)         Protection proceedings are to be conducted, as far as possible, in a way that promotes cooperation and consensus.

        [Section 145 amended: No. 23 of 2015 s. 49; No. 18 of 2021 s. 64.]