Practice Direction 1 of 2022 - Protection Applications Lodged in a Regional Children's Court
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1. Application of Practice Direction
This Practice Direction applies to the first hearing of a protection application lodged at a regional Children's Court and is to be read in conjunction with Practice Direction 6 of 2021.
This Practice Direction has effect from 10 January 2022.
2. Referral of matter from regional court to circuit magistrate
Where there is no sitting of a regional Children's Court within 3 working days after the lodgment of a protection application at a regional court registry, immediate inquiries should be made as to whether a magistrate at the court which usually circuits to the regional court is available to hear the matter.
If the circuit magistrate is available to hear the matter within 3 days, the first hearing must be listed before that magistrate and the hearing may be conducted by video link or audio link.
3. Referral of matter to Perth Children's Court
Where there is no available circuit magistrate court to hear the matter, it should be referred immediately to the Perth Children's Court for listing and first hearing.
The first hearing may be conducted by video link or audio link from Perth Children's Court to the regional Children's Court.
After first hearing the matter will be adjourned to the next sitting of the regional Children's Court for continuing management in accordance with Practice Direction 6 of 2021.
Judge Hylton Quail
President
Children's Court of Western Australia
6 January 2022
Last updated: 2 March 2023