Attending the Children's Court

The court makes big decisions about kids. Any parent would feel scared or angry if they had to cope with that, and there may be times when it all feels too much. It can help to keep thinking about how you can show your concern for the child, and the ways in which you can act to keep them safe.

Talking to a solicitor

You may be eligible for a free solicitor. You can talk to the duty solicitor at the court the first time your child’s case goes to court. A different solicitor will be responsible for your child.

The solicitor can speak in court for you. They will talk to you about what you think the court needs to know about you, and will explain the law and your options.

You or your solicitor will get copies of court papers and reports that the magistrate will read.

It can be hard to read that stuff, but if you want to understand what is happening in court you need to know what the court is being told. If you can’t understand the reports, ask someone you trust - for example your solicitor or a worker-  what they mean.

Planning ahead and staying calm

Going to court is stressful and you may have to wait a long time. Take some food because it can be hard to get out to the shops. There’s not much for kids to do, so you might want to take some toys.

Before court you may feel like having a drink or taking something to help you stay calm. It is important that you don’t drink or take drugs. If you do, it is likely that people will think that you can’t look after your children.