Personal Violence Act 2016

This section applies if—

a court intends to make a protection order; and

the protected person is before the court.

On making the protection order (other than a consent order), the court must explain to the protected person, in language likely to be readily understood by the person—

the purpose, terms and effect of the order; and

Explaining the effect of the order includes explaining any consequence that will automatically flow from the making of the order. For example, if relevant, that any firearms licence of the respondent will automatically be cancelled or suspended unless the Magistrates Court otherwise orders.

the consequences that may follow if the respondent fails to comply with the order; and

how the order may be amended or revoked; and

that, if the protected person aids or abets the respondent to commit an offence against section 35 (Offence—contravention of protection order), the protected person may also commit an offence; and

that, if a State, another Territory or New Zealand has legislation that corresponds to this Act, the order may be registered, and enforced, in the State, Territory or New Zealand without notice of registration being given to the respondent.

Pt 7 deals with the registration of protection orders from other jurisdictions in the ACT.

The Criminal Code, pt 2.4 deals with offences of aiding and abetting.

Before making a consent order, the Magistrates Court must explain to the protected person, in language likely to be readily understood by the person, the matters mentioned in subsection (2) (a) to (e).

A failure of the Magistrates Court to comply with this section in relation to a protection order does not affect the validity of the order.