Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICLs)

 The role of an Independent Children’s Lawyer (or ICL) is to ensure that the best interests of a child are given proper consideration and that the child’s views are made known to the court. Because your child won’t attend court, an Independent Children’s Lawyer will tell the court about your child’s welfare and views during the case. 

The Independent Children’s Lawyer will present information to the court about your child’s welfare and views. 

Each child’s case is different but generally before making a submission to the court, the Independent Children’s Lawyer will: 

• Read all the affidavits 

• Examine any subpoenaed documents 

• Talk with your child (depending on their age and the circumstances of the case) 

• Talk to the family consultant and other relevant people including teachers, doctors, psychologists or counsellors to help inform their recommendation to the court 

• Listen carefully and consider the evidence if a case goes to hearing. Not all information is evidence, the Independent Children’s Lawyer can only rely on evidence. 

The Independent Children’s Lawyer then applies family law cases and law to all this information. While each case is different, the lawyer may look at past similar cases to decide what submissions to make to the court. It is important to remember that the Independent Children’s Lawyer will follow the law. 

With the evidence and this information, the Independent Children’s Lawyer will form an independent view of what is in the best interests of the child to present to the court. The court will also be made aware of any views expressed by your child. 

At the court hearing, the Independent Children’s Lawyer conducts the case for the child in the usual way, including: 

• cross examination
• presenting evidence 
• making submissions 

In some cases an Independent Children’s Lawyer will know early in a matter what orders they seek on behalf of the child. If the Independent Children’s Lawyer does know, then they will tell the parents’ lawyers or you if you are not represented by a lawyer. This can help negotiations. In other cases the child’s best interests may be unclear and the Independent Children’s Lawyer may be unable to make a recommendation until much later or sometimes not at all. 

Yes. An Independent Children’s Lawyer’s recommendation will be based on the evidence available at the time. If new evidence becomes available before the court has made final orders, the Independent Children’s Lawyer will need to consider the impact of this on any recommendations. 

The judge listens carefully to what everybody in the case says and makes his or her decision based on all evidence provided. 

• Encourages and takes part in any negotiations to settle the matter in your child’s interests
• Seeks that proper arrangements are made to protect the child’s interests until the case is finalised. 

In some cases the court will order a written report about a child, the parents and anybody else involved in the matter. An application for this order will often be made by the Independent Children’s Lawyer. This report is prepared by a family consultant, social worker, child and family psychologist or psychiatrist, depending on the case. 

The information is obtained by interviewing the people concerned in the matter. This report will be released by the court and given to your lawyer (or you if you are representing yourself) and the Independent Children’s Lawyer. It may assist in discussions leading to an agreement to settle the case. If the case is not settled, the report will form part of evidence considered by the judge. 

• The Independent Children’s Lawyer explains the court orders to your child (if they are old enough to understand)
• The Independent Children’s Lawyer may also be involved in follow up arrangements in relation to any court orders. 

• Make sure your child attends all appointments arranged by the Independent Children’s Lawyer
• To ensure the Independent Children’s Lawyer stays independent in the case he/she will be limited in what they are able to discuss with you, even if you are not represented by a lawyer. If you are legally represented, any matters you wish to raise should be raised with your own lawyer who will contact the Independent Children’s Lawyer
• Please don’t question your child about his or her sessions with the Independent Children’s Lawyer. They should remain private and between your child and the lawyer
• Please allow your child to freely contact the Independent Children’s Lawyer.