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Where am I now? Lawlink > Children's Court > About Us
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About Us
What we do
The Children’s Court deals with matters relating to the care and protection of children and young people, and also criminal cases concerning children and young people. It deals with young people who are under 18 years, or who were under 18 at the time of the alleged offence.
Court Structure
The President of the NSW Children's Court
The head of the Children’s Court Jurisdiction is the President, and District Court Judge, Mark Marien SC. Judge Marien’s career in the law and public life included recently serving on the District Court Bench, admission to the Bar in 1986 and membership of the Mental Health Review Tribunal and the board of the Inner City Legal Centre.
The President is the Chairperson of the Children’s Court Advisory Committee, as well as various other Committees established to assist him in his role.
The role of the Magistrate
There are 13 specialist Children’s Magistrates, who are appointed for three year terms. The Magistrate’s role is to consider the evidence put before the court and make a determination based upon it, the relevant legislation and case law.
Children’s Magistrates sit in the six specialist Children’s Courts as well as regular sittings at Local Courts sitting as Children’s Courts in Nowra, Sutherland, Woy Woy, Hornsby, Maitland, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Wyong, Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, Lightening Ridge, Nyngan, Warren, Cobar, Narromine, Parkes, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo. Children’s Magistrates also sit in other regional locations on a needs basis.
Children’s Magistrates undergo training by the Judicial Commission relating to their role and meet tri-annually for conferences pursuant to s.16 of the Children’s Court Act to discuss issues and receive training related to the jurisdiction.
The role of the Registrar of the Children’s Court
The Registrar of the Children’s Court is responsible for the daily management and administration of the court. The Registrar maintains the records of the court, provides client service, prepares and issues court process, manages and supervises staff and manages the building and property.
The Registrar is the appropriate person to contact if you have any enquiries relating to a court case. They will be able to provide guidance on court procedures, assist by providing information for matters such as referral to local agencies, parties to the proceedings, public transport, accommodation and local facilities.
The role of the Children’s Registrar
The Children’s Registrar undertakes quasi-judicial and administrative functions which provides support to the Children’s Court to ensure effective delivery of Children’s Court services in an efficient and timely manner.
The Children’s Registrar conducts call overs, preliminary conferences and hears applications for adjournment and makes procedural directions. Call overs may result in care applications being directed to the appropriate forum for resolution (ie: preliminary conferences or immediate referral to a Magistrate).
The Children’s Registrar also conducts research and provides advice to the Senior Children’s Magistrate and Executive Officer on the Children’s Court case flow management systems, listing and other practices.
Objectives
- To administer justice on behalf of the community of New South Wales
- To provide an efficient, fair and effective court service for the children, young people, parents and community of New South Wales.
Values
- Equality, Fairness and Integrity
- Expedition and Timeliness
- Independence and Accountability
- Public Trust and Confidence
Principles and Practices
- To faithfully carry out judicial duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will
- To ensure Children's Magistrates have access to continuing specialist judicial education.
- To ensure that all Children's Court staff are properly trained for the duties they perform.
- To provide a regular forum at each Children's Court for stakeholder feedback.
- To provide the community, stakeholders, and practitioners with information about the Children's Court and about significant changes to the Children's Court.
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