Practice Direction 12 of 2020

STATE OF DISASTER DECLARATION 2 AUGUST TO 13 SEPTEMBER 2020

COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE - METHOD BY WHICH HEARINGS ARE TO BE HELD

This Practice Direction is issued pursuant to section 592 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (CYFA) read in conjunction with Part 6A of the Open Courts Act 2013 and section 528(1) of the CYFA.

PREAMBLE

This Practice Direction introduces a further temporary measure necessitated by the COVID‑19 pandemic. It is informed by the latest medical advice from Victorian public health authorities to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all Court users. In order for the Children's Court to continue its critical role in the administration of justice for the children, young people and families of the State of Victoria, the following Directions are made.

DIRECTIONS

1. All proceedings in the Children’s Court of Victoria for the period 10 August to 13 September 2020 are to be held by audio visual link (including WebEx) or by audio link if audio visual link is not available.
2. Direction 1 will not apply where neither audio visual link or audio link is available.
3. Direction 1 will not apply if the presiding judicial officer otherwise orders in circumstances where that officer is satisfied in a particular case that it is not possible to conduct a fair hearing in that manner.

This Practice Direction commences on 10 August 2020.