Independent Childrens Lawyer - Tasmania Legal Aid

sometimes a court will appoint an independent children's lawyer or ICL for a child whose parents are going through a family law case this is to ensure that the best interests of a child are considered and that the child's views are made known to the court each child's case is different but the independent children's lawyer may do these following things talk with your child depending on the their age and the circumstances of the case talk to the family consultant and other relevant people including teachers doctors psychologists or counselors 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 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 finalized an independent children's lawyer will make recommendations based on the evidence available at the time if new evidence becomes available before the court has made final orders the ICL will need to consider the impact of this on any recommendations the judge listens carefully to what every body in the case says and makes a decision based on all evidence provided when the case is over the I explains the court orders to your child if they are old enough to understand and they may also be involved in follow-up Arrangements about any court orders you can get free information about independent children's lawyers by calling Tasmania legal aid Monday to Friday on 1300 366 611