The Children’s Court Bar Association was formed in 2000. It currently has a membership of over 70 barristers who have either exclusive or a significant area of practice in the Family and/or Criminal Divisions of the Children’s Court of Victoria and in the higher Courts on appeal from the Children’s Court.
Purposes and objectives
The Association's Purposes
The purposes of the association are:
- To promote and advocate for the professional interests of members;
- To liaise with the Children’s Court of Victoria and other Courts, Tribunals and bodies concerned with issues of professional interest to members;
- To assist members in their professional practice, including by providing and promoting professional development opportunities;
- To provide representation for members in relation to matters which affect the interests of members generally;
- To represent the view of members to bodies and persons engaged in the administration of proceedings in the Courts and Tribunals in which our members practice, and in the review and development of laws, policies and practices relating to child protection and youth justice.
The Association's Objectives
The objectives of the association include:
- responding to the Court’s requests for assistance and input
- raising awareness of legislative and case law developments
- providing speakers for training and conference opportunities
- alerting barristers to practice and procedure changes
- making representations to Victoria Legal Aid and government bodies as to the appropriateness of proposed fee
- scales and briefing structures
- making submissions to law reform and parliamentary enquiries as necessary
Guidelines
A barrister is generally briefed to appear for parents and children at contested hearings in the Children’s Court jurisdiction by a solicitor. Victoria Legal Aid appoints panels of solicitors to undertake this task and a number of them are available at the court on a daily basis. For more information contact Victoria Legal Aid, 350 Queen Street Melbourne 3000 or the Children’s Court of Victoria, 477 Lt Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000.
