Childrens Court Rules 2016

The court may, on its own initiative or on the application of a participant orally or in writing, direct that a participant (an appearing participant) or a witness attend a future appearance for a CAO proceeding or child protection proceeding by audio visual link or audio link.

A written application under subrule (1) must—

be filed in the court before the appearance; and

state—

how and when notice of the application has been given to the other participants to the proceeding; and

whether any other participant objected to the application; and

whether the appearing participant is aware of any issues in the proceeding that are likely to be contested between the parties during the appearance.

An application under subrule (1) is an application in a proceeding for these rules.

The court must, in considering whether to make the direction, have regard to—

the distance the appearing participant or witness would have to travel to attend the place where the appearance is to be held; and

any other practicality that would make it difficult for the appearing participant or witness to attend the appearance in person.