Family Inclusion Network (FIN) Queensland (Townsville)
At Court
1. Always be polite – Call the Magistrate ‘Your Honour’.
2. Everything is focussed on: “What is in the best interests of the child”. 
3. If you do not understand something, you can ask the Magistrate, or a Court Officer, or your lawyer to explain it to you.
4. The Court has to be satisfied that you have had a reasonable opportunity
to obtain legal representation.
5. The Child/ren can appoint a separate representative (a children’s lawyer).
6. If the child is mature enough and wishes to have a say, the Court must be informed.
Adjournments
The Court can call off proceedings to a later date (known as an ‘adjournment’) for several reasons (e.g. allowing you to obtain legal representation).
In the meantime, an interim order can be placed by the Court -
this will allow Child Safety to have custody of the child until a final decision is made.
However, the Court can also order:
• No contact or supervised contact with the child
• A report about the child, family members and the home environment
• A medical examination of the child
• A family group meeting
• Separate legal representation for the child
• A conference between Child Safety, a court official and you.
