Practice Direction 14 of 2020

FAMILY DIVISION – CHILD PROTECTION PROCEEDINGS – COVID-19 – READINESS HEARINGS

This Practice Direction is issued pursuant to Section 592 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (CYFA).

This Practice Direction introduces further measures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic for the management of child protection proceedings in the Family Division of the Children’s Court of Victoria (the Court). When it comes into effect, this Practice Direction revokes Practice Direction No. 6 of 2020.

This Practice Direction is to be read in conjunction with Practice Direction No. 15 of 2020.

This Practice Direction applies at Melbourne Children’s Court with effect from 23 November 2020 and at all other venues of the Children’s Court from 7 December 2020.