1. Home
2. Guide to court processes involving children and young people

Guide to court processes involving children and young people

Children, young people, families and the organisations which support them may at times come into contact with the legal system.

Primarily this will be through the Children’s Court, that deals with matters relating to the care and protection of children and young people and also criminal matters concerning children and young people under 18 years of age.

There are also other Courts and jurisdictions that may impact on children, young people and their families, including Local Courts, the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court, the Coroner’s Court, the District Court, the Supreme Court, the Family Court, and tribunals including the Administrative Decisions Tribunal, Guardianship Tribunal and Victims Compensation Tribunal.

In this section you will find information about:

• Changes to Court processes as a result of Keep Them Safe
• The Children’s Court
• Care and protection proceedings in the Children’s Court
• Orders made by the Children’s Court in care and protection matters
• Criminal matters in the Children’s Court
• Other orders, courts, tribunals and proceedings
• Victims Services

Important note: The information contained in this chapter does not constitute legal advice. If more information is required, consult the relevant legislation or a legal adviser, as necessary.

Disclaimer: While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this document are correct, the State of New South Wales, its agencies and employees, do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents, and is not liable to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the contents of this document.

• Introduction
• Keep Them Safe and interagency collaboration
• Legislation governing child protection and child wellbeing services
• Roles and responsibilities
• Exchanging information
• Making a child protection report
• Responding to a child wellbeing concern or child protection report
• Engaging children, young people and families
• Prevention and early intervention strategies
• Guide to court processes involving children and young people
  • Changes to Court processes as a result of Keep Them Safe
  • The Children’s Court
  • Care and Protection Proceedings in the Children’s Court
  • Orders made by the Children’s Court in Care and Protection matters
  • Criminal matters in the Children’s Court
  • Other Orders, Courts, Tribunals and Proceedings
  • Victims’ Services
• Case management