Practice Direction 8 of 2020 - Magistrates Court: Suburban Trials
The Children's Court of Western Australia has reviewed the listing of criminal and restraining order trials in suburban courts.
From 1 August 2020 the following procedures will apply to all criminal and restraining order matters commenced in Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland and Rockingham Children's Courts.
Criminal Matters
When a plea of not guilty is entered and a trial date before a magistrate is required, the matter will be adjourned for three weeks for mention only in the combined list in Perth Children's Court, if any of the following circumstances exist:
- All trials expected to take more than two hours.
- All trials involving charges which would be dealt with on indictment if the accused were an adult.
- All trials involving vulnerable or special witnesses.
The Director of Public Prosecutions will assume the conduct of the prosecution once the matter has been transferred to Perth Children's Court. Trial dates will be set when the matter comes before the Court in the combined list.
Accused and responsible adults affected by this Practice Direction may appear by video or audio link on mention hearings in Perth Children's Court, but must appear in person at trial.
Restraining Order Matters
All final order hearings which are expected to take more than two hours will be listed and heard in Perth Children's Court.
Judge Hylton Quail
President of the Children's Court of Western Australia
21 July 2020
Last updated: 2 March 2023