{"id":"qld:act-1992-041","name":"Childrens Court Act 1992","slug":"childrens-court-act-1992","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"41 of 1992","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":104815,"registerId":"qld-act-1992-041-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### sec.1 Short title\n\nThis Act may be cited as the Childrens Court Act 1992 .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.2\n\ns 2 om 28 November 1995 RA s 37","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"### sec.3 Definitions\n\nIn this Act—\nappellate court ...\ns 3 def appellate court ins 1997 No. 38 s 5\nom 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3\nChildrens Court judge means a District Court judge appointed to the Childrens Court.\nChildrens Court magistrate means a magistrate appointed to the Childrens Court.\nchild’s community ...\ns 3 def child’s community ins 2014 No. 9 s 28\nom 2016 No. 39 s 3\ncommunity justice group ...\ns 3 def community justice group ins 2014 No. 9 s 28\nom 2016 No. 39 s 3\ncourt means the Childrens Court.\nfirst-time offender ...\ns 3 def first-time offender ins 2014 No. 9 s 28\nom 2016 No. 39 s 3\ninterested person ...\ns 3 def interested person ins 2014 No. 9 s 28\nom 2016 No. 39 s 3\njudge means a Childrens Court judge.\nnon-youth justice matter ...\ns 3 def non-youth justice matter ins 2014 No. 9 s 28\nom 2016 No. 39 s 3\npresident means the president of the Childrens Court.\nprocedure includes practice.\nrelevant person ...\ns 3 def relevant person ins 2014 No. 9 s 28\nom 2016 No. 39 s 3\nrules means the Childrens Court Rules.\nyouth justice matter ...\ns 3 def youth justice matter ins 2014 No. 9 s 28\nom 2016 No. 39 s 3","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"The Childrens Court of Queensland","content":"# The Childrens Court of Queensland","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Childrens Court established etc.","content":"### sec.4 Childrens Court established etc.\n\nThe Childrens Court of Queensland is established.\nThe court is a court of record.\nThe court is to have a seal, which must be judicially noticed.\n(sec.4-ssec.1) The Childrens Court of Queensland is established.\n(sec.4-ssec.2) The court is a court of record.\n(sec.4-ssec.3) The court is to have a seal, which must be judicially noticed.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Members and constitution of the Childrens Court","content":"### sec.5 Members and constitution of the Childrens Court\n\nThe members of the Childrens Court are the judicial officers mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) .\nIf an Act expressly requires the Childrens Court to be constituted by a Childrens Court judge, the court must be constituted by either of the following—\na Childrens Court judge;\nif a Childrens Court judge is not available—a District Court judge.\nA child is committed to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge at a place where the Childrens Court sits only a few times in a year. At the time the child would ordinarily be dealt with at the place, there is no Childrens Court judge available, but a District Court judge is available. The District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child.\nA child is due to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge. A Childrens Court judge is present at the place and at the time but, in the judge’s capacity as a District Court judge, is needed for the jurisdiction of the District Court. Another District Court judge is available. The other District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child.\nIf the Childrens Court is not required to be constituted by a Childrens Court judge, it may be constituted by—\na Childrens Court magistrate; or\nif a Childrens Court magistrate is not available—any magistrate; or\nif neither a Childrens Court magistrate nor other magistrate is available—2 justices of the peace.\nSubsection (3) (c) does not affect the limitations placed on justices of the peace under the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Act 1991 or another Act.\nIn this section—\navailable means available having regard to the orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction of the District Court and Childrens Court.\ns 5 amd 2002 No. 39 s 137 ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch\n(sec.5-ssec.1) The members of the Childrens Court are the judicial officers mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) .\n(sec.5-ssec.2) If an Act expressly requires the Childrens Court to be constituted by a Childrens Court judge, the court must be constituted by either of the following— a Childrens Court judge; if a Childrens Court judge is not available—a District Court judge. A child is committed to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge at a place where the Childrens Court sits only a few times in a year. At the time the child would ordinarily be dealt with at the place, there is no Childrens Court judge available, but a District Court judge is available. The District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child. A child is due to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge. A Childrens Court judge is present at the place and at the time but, in the judge’s capacity as a District Court judge, is needed for the jurisdiction of the District Court. Another District Court judge is available. The other District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child.\n(sec.5-ssec.3) If the Childrens Court is not required to be constituted by a Childrens Court judge, it may be constituted by— a Childrens Court magistrate; or if a Childrens Court magistrate is not available—any magistrate; or if neither a Childrens Court magistrate nor other magistrate is available—2 justices of the peace.\n(sec.5-ssec.4) Subsection (3) (c) does not affect the limitations placed on justices of the peace under the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Act 1991 or another Act.\n(sec.5-ssec.5) In this section— available means available having regard to the orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction of the District Court and Childrens Court.\n- (a) a Childrens Court judge;\n- (b) if a Childrens Court judge is not available—a District Court judge. Examples of when a Childrens Court judge is not available— 1 A child is committed to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge at a place where the Childrens Court sits only a few times in a year. At the time the child would ordinarily be dealt with at the place, there is no Childrens Court judge available, but a District Court judge is available. The District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child. 2 A child is due to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge. A Childrens Court judge is present at the place and at the time but, in the judge’s capacity as a District Court judge, is needed for the jurisdiction of the District Court. Another District Court judge is available. The other District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child.\n- 1 A child is committed to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge at a place where the Childrens Court sits only a few times in a year. At the time the child would ordinarily be dealt with at the place, there is no Childrens Court judge available, but a District Court judge is available. The District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child.\n- 2 A child is due to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge. A Childrens Court judge is present at the place and at the time but, in the judge’s capacity as a District Court judge, is needed for the jurisdiction of the District Court. Another District Court judge is available. The other District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child.\n- 1 A child is committed to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge at a place where the Childrens Court sits only a few times in a year. At the time the child would ordinarily be dealt with at the place, there is no Childrens Court judge available, but a District Court judge is available. The District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child.\n- 2 A child is due to be tried or sentenced before a Childrens Court judge. A Childrens Court judge is present at the place and at the time but, in the judge’s capacity as a District Court judge, is needed for the jurisdiction of the District Court. Another District Court judge is available. The other District Court judge may constitute the Childrens Court and deal with the child.\n- (a) a Childrens Court magistrate; or\n- (b) if a Childrens Court magistrate is not available—any magistrate; or\n- (c) if neither a Childrens Court magistrate nor other magistrate is available—2 justices of the peace.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Jurisdiction","content":"### sec.6 Jurisdiction\n\nThe Childrens Court has the jurisdiction conferred on it by any Act.\nThe Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 includes provisions about the exercise of jurisdiction under this Act.\ns 6 amd 2003 No. 57 s 39 (1) sch 2\n(sec.6-ssec.1) The Childrens Court has the jurisdiction conferred on it by any Act.\n(sec.6-ssec.2) The Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 includes provisions about the exercise of jurisdiction under this Act.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Rules of court","content":"### sec.7 Rules of court\n\nThe procedure of the Childrens Court is governed by the Childrens Court Rules.\nThe Governor in Council may, with the president’s agreement, make rules of court (the Childrens Court Rules ) under this Act.\nA rule may make provision about any matter—\nthat is required or permitted to be prescribed under a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court; or\nthat is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court.\nIn particular, a rule may make provision about the procedure of the Childrens Court, including the matters that may be dealt with in chambers or by a court official.\ns 7 amd 1995 No. 57 s 4 sch 1\n(sec.7-ssec.1) The procedure of the Childrens Court is governed by the Childrens Court Rules.\n(sec.7-ssec.2) The Governor in Council may, with the president’s agreement, make rules of court (the Childrens Court Rules ) under this Act.\n(sec.7-ssec.3) A rule may make provision about any matter— that is required or permitted to be prescribed under a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court; or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court.\n(sec.7-ssec.4) In particular, a rule may make provision about the procedure of the Childrens Court, including the matters that may be dealt with in chambers or by a court official.\n- (a) that is required or permitted to be prescribed under a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court; or\n- (b) that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Directions","content":"### sec.8 Directions\n\nTo the extent that any matter relating to Childrens Court procedure is not provided for by the rules, the matter may be dealt with by directions under this section.\nThe president may issue directions of general application with respect to the procedure of the court.\nA Childrens Court judge may issue directions in relation to a particular case before the court when constituted by the judge.\nAfter consulting with the president, the chief magistrate may issue directions of general application with respect to the procedure of the court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices.\nA Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices may issue directions in relation to a particular case before the court when constituted by the Childrens Court magistrate, the magistrate or justices, as the case may be.\ns 8 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch ; 2014 No. 28 s 42\n(sec.8-ssec.1) To the extent that any matter relating to Childrens Court procedure is not provided for by the rules, the matter may be dealt with by directions under this section.\n(sec.8-ssec.2) The president may issue directions of general application with respect to the procedure of the court.\n(sec.8-ssec.3) A Childrens Court judge may issue directions in relation to a particular case before the court when constituted by the judge.\n(sec.8-ssec.4) After consulting with the president, the chief magistrate may issue directions of general application with respect to the procedure of the court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices.\n(sec.8-ssec.5) A Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices may issue directions in relation to a particular case before the court when constituted by the Childrens Court magistrate, the magistrate or justices, as the case may be.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"sec.8A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Leadership of the court","content":"### sec.8A Leadership of the court\n\nThe president has the function of ensuring the orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction of the court when constituted by a Childrens Court judge.\nThe chief magistrate has the function of ensuring the orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction of the court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices.\ns 8A ins 2014 No. 28 s 43\n(sec.8A-ssec.1) The president has the function of ensuring the orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction of the court when constituted by a Childrens Court judge.\n(sec.8A-ssec.2) The chief magistrate has the function of ensuring the orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction of the court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Appointment of judicial officers","content":"# Appointment of judicial officers","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"The president","content":"## The president","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Childrens Court president","content":"### sec.9 Childrens Court president\n\nThere is to be a president of the court.\nThe Governor in Council may appoint a Childrens Court judge to be the president of the court.\nThe president may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.\nThe resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the president as a Childrens Court judge.\nIf—\nthe office of president is vacant; or\nthe president is on leave or otherwise absent or is, for another reason, unable to perform all the ordinary functions of the president’s office;\nthe Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint a Childrens Court judge to be the acting president.\n(sec.9-ssec.1) There is to be a president of the court.\n(sec.9-ssec.2) The Governor in Council may appoint a Childrens Court judge to be the president of the court.\n(sec.9-ssec.3) The president may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.\n(sec.9-ssec.4) The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the president as a Childrens Court judge.\n(sec.9-ssec.5) If— the office of president is vacant; or the president is on leave or otherwise absent or is, for another reason, unable to perform all the ordinary functions of the president’s office; the Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint a Childrens Court judge to be the acting president.\n- (a) the office of president is vacant; or\n- (b) the president is on leave or otherwise absent or is, for another reason, unable to perform all the ordinary functions of the president’s office;","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Functions of president","content":"### sec.10 Functions of president\n\nThe president has the function given by section 8A (1) and the other functions conferred on the president by this Act or any other Act.\ns 10 sub 2014 No. 28 s 44","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Childrens Court judges","content":"## Childrens Court judges","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"sec.11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Childrens Court judge","content":"### sec.11 Childrens Court judge\n\nThe Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint 1 or more District Court judges as Childrens Court judges.\nIn choosing a District Court judge to be recommended as a Childrens Court judge, the Attorney-General must have regard to the appointee’s particular interest and expertise in jurisdiction over matters relating to children.\nThe appointment of a person as a Childrens Court judge does not affect the person’s appointment as a District Court judge or the person’s powers as a District Court judge.\n(sec.11-ssec.1) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint 1 or more District Court judges as Childrens Court judges.\n(sec.11-ssec.2) In choosing a District Court judge to be recommended as a Childrens Court judge, the Attorney-General must have regard to the appointee’s particular interest and expertise in jurisdiction over matters relating to children.\n(sec.11-ssec.3) The appointment of a person as a Childrens Court judge does not affect the person’s appointment as a District Court judge or the person’s powers as a District Court judge.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"sec.12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Acting judge","content":"### sec.12 Acting judge\n\nThe Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint a District Court judge to act as a Childrens Court judge if, in the Governor in Council’s opinion, the conduct of the business of the court requires it.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Termination of office","content":"### sec.13 Termination of office\n\nA Childrens Court judge ceases to hold the office if the judge ceases to hold office as a District Court judge.\nA Childrens Court judge may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.\nThe resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the judge as a District Court judge.\n(sec.13-ssec.1) A Childrens Court judge ceases to hold the office if the judge ceases to hold office as a District Court judge.\n(sec.13-ssec.2) A Childrens Court judge may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.\n(sec.13-ssec.3) The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the judge as a District Court judge.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Childrens Court magistrates","content":"## Childrens Court magistrates","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"sec.14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Childrens Court magistrates","content":"### sec.14 Childrens Court magistrates\n\nThe Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint 1 or more magistrates as Childrens Court magistrates.\nThe appointment of a person as a Childrens Court magistrate does not affect the person’s appointment as a magistrate or powers as a magistrate.\nFor the purpose of the Magistrates Act 1991 , the duties of a magistrate include those performed as a Childrens Court magistrate if the magistrate is a Childrens Court magistrate.\ns 14 amd 2000 No. 58 s 2 sch ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch\n(sec.14-ssec.1) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint 1 or more magistrates as Childrens Court magistrates.\n(sec.14-ssec.2) The appointment of a person as a Childrens Court magistrate does not affect the person’s appointment as a magistrate or powers as a magistrate.\n(sec.14-ssec.3) For the purpose of the Magistrates Act 1991 , the duties of a magistrate include those performed as a Childrens Court magistrate if the magistrate is a Childrens Court magistrate.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"sec.14A","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.14A\n\ns 14A ins 2008 No. 59 s 6\nom 2014 No. 28 s 45","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"sec.15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Termination of office","content":"### sec.15 Termination of office\n\nA Childrens Court magistrate ceases to hold the office if the person ceases to hold office as a magistrate.\nA Childrens Court magistrate may resign office by written resignation given to the Attorney-General.\nThe resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the magistrate as a magistrate.\ns 15 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch\n(sec.15-ssec.1) A Childrens Court magistrate ceases to hold the office if the person ceases to hold office as a magistrate.\n(sec.15-ssec.2) A Childrens Court magistrate may resign office by written resignation given to the Attorney-General.\n(sec.15-ssec.3) The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the magistrate as a magistrate.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Acting magistrate","content":"### sec.16 Acting magistrate\n\nThe Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint a magistrate to act in the office of a Childrens Court magistrate if, in the Governor in Council’s opinion, the business of the Court requires it.\ns 16 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.4","sectionType":"division","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"## Miscellaneous","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"sec.17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Jurisdiction not affected by vacancies","content":"### sec.17 Jurisdiction not affected by vacancies\n\nThe jurisdiction of the court is not affected by a vacancy in any office in the court.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Sittings of the court","content":"# Sittings of the court","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"sec.18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Where court may be constituted","content":"### sec.18 Where court may be constituted\n\nThe court may be constituted—\nif it is constituted by a judge—at a place where a Magistrates Court or the District Court may be held; or\nif it is constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices—at a place where a Magistrates Court may be held.\nSubject to subsection (1) , the court as constituted by any of its members—\nmay exercise jurisdiction throughout Queensland; and\nmay sit in more than 1 place at the same time.\ns 18 amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch\n(sec.18-ssec.1) The court may be constituted— if it is constituted by a judge—at a place where a Magistrates Court or the District Court may be held; or if it is constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices—at a place where a Magistrates Court may be held.\n(sec.18-ssec.2) Subject to subsection (1) , the court as constituted by any of its members— may exercise jurisdiction throughout Queensland; and may sit in more than 1 place at the same time.\n- (a) if it is constituted by a judge—at a place where a Magistrates Court or the District Court may be held; or\n- (b) if it is constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices—at a place where a Magistrates Court may be held.\n- (a) may exercise jurisdiction throughout Queensland; and\n- (b) may sit in more than 1 place at the same time.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"sec.19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Separation of court’s proceedings","content":"### sec.19 Separation of court’s proceedings\n\nThe hearing of a matter before the court must be held at a time when the business of another court is not being conducted in the same room.\ns 19 amd 1993 No. 76 s 3 sch 1","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"sec.20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Who may be present at a proceeding","content":"### sec.20 Who may be present at a proceeding\n\nIn a proceeding before the court relating to a child, the court must exclude from the room in which the court is sitting any person who is not—\nthe child; or\na parent or other adult member of the child’s family; or\nif the proceeding is a criminal proceeding—\na victim, or a relative of a victim, of the offence committed by the child; or\na relative of a deceased victim of the offence committed by the child; or\na person who is a representative of a victim, or of a relative of a deceased victim, of the offence committed by the child; or\na person who provides support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\na member of an organisation that is providing support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\na person who, in the court’s opinion, has a proper interest in the proceeding; or\na person holding media accreditation; or\na witness giving evidence; or\na person who is an intermediary under the Evidence Act 1977 , part 2 , division 4C for a witness giving evidence; or\nif a witness is a complainant within the meaning of the Evidence Act 1977 , section 103ZZL —a person whose presence will provide emotional support to the witness; or\na party or person representing a party to the proceeding, including, for example, a police officer or other person in charge of a case against a child in relation to an offence; or\na representative of the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or\nthe public guardian under the Public Guardian Act 2014 ; or\nif the proceeding is a child protection proceeding under the Child Protection Act 1999 —the chief executive (child safety); or\nif the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person—\na representative of an organisation whose principal purpose is the provision of welfare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families; or\na representative of the community justice group in the child’s community who is to make submissions that are relevant to sentencing the child; or\nan infant or young child in the care of an adult who may be present in the room.\nAlso, the court may permit to be present in the room—\na person who is engaged in—\na course of professional study relevant to the operation of the court; or\nresearch approved by the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or\na person who, in the court’s opinion, will assist the court.\nDespite subsection (1) , if the court is hearing a matter under the Mental Health Act 2016 , section 172 or 173 , the court must exclude from the room a person mentioned in subsection (1) (c) unless the court is satisfied it is in the interests of justice to permit the person to be present.\nAlso, this section does not affect any order made, or that may be made, by the court under the Evidence Act 1977 , section 21A —\nexcluding any person (including a defendant) from the place in which the court is sitting; or\npermitting any person to be present while a special witness within the meaning of that section is giving evidence.\nThis section—\napplies even if the court’s jurisdiction is being exercised conjointly with another jurisdiction; and\ndoes not apply to the court when constituted by a judge exercising jurisdiction to hear and determine a charge on indictment.\nIn this section—\nchief executive (child safety) means the chief executive of the department in which the Child Protection Act 1999 is administered.\nchief executive (youth justice) means the chief executive of the department in which the Youth Justice Act 1992 is administered.\nchild’s community means the child’s Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community, whether it is—\nan urban community; or\na rural community; or\na community on DOGIT land under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 or the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 .\ncommunity justice group , for a child, means—\nthe community justice group established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984 , part 4 , for the child’s community; or\na group of persons within the child’s community, other than a department of government, that is involved in the provision of any of the following—\ninformation to a court about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders;\ndiversionary, interventionist or rehabilitation activities relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders;\nother activities relating to local justice issues; or\na group of persons made up of the elders or other respected persons of the child’s community.\ncriminal proceeding means a proceeding under the Youth Justice Act 1992 in relation to an offence committed by a child, and includes an appeal proceeding, a sentence review or a proceeding for the sentencing of a child.\nmedia accreditation means accreditation under the Supreme Court’s media accreditation policy.\noffence , committed by a child, includes an offence the child is alleged to have committed.\nrelative —\nof a victim of an offence committed by a child, means—\na spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent or grandchild of the victim; or\na child, other than a child mentioned in subparagraph (i) , for whom the victim has parental responsibility; or\na person who, under Aboriginal tradition or Island custom, is regarded as a person mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii) ; or\nof a deceased victim of an offence committed by a child, means a person who would be a relative mentioned in paragraph (a) if the victim were not deceased.\nSupreme Court’s media accreditation policy means the media accreditation policy in effect and made under or appended to a practice direction of the Supreme Court.\ns 20 prev s 20 amd 1996 No. 22 s 107 ; 1997 No. 9 s 18 ; 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3 ; 2000 No. 42 s 8 ; 2003 No. 55 s 6 (1) (amdt could not be given effect); 2003 No. 55 s 6 (2) ; 2009 No. 29 s 367\nom 2014 No. 9 s 30\npres s 20 ins 2016 No. 39 s 5\namd 2020 No. 32 s 6 ; 2024 No. 45 s 112 ; 2024 No. 54 s 4 ; 2024 No. 5 s 102 sch 1 div 4 (amd 2024 No. 23 s 18F )\n(sec.20-ssec.1) In a proceeding before the court relating to a child, the court must exclude from the room in which the court is sitting any person who is not— the child; or a parent or other adult member of the child’s family; or if the proceeding is a criminal proceeding— a victim, or a relative of a victim, of the offence committed by the child; or a relative of a deceased victim of the offence committed by the child; or a person who is a representative of a victim, or of a relative of a deceased victim, of the offence committed by the child; or a person who provides support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding a member of an organisation that is providing support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding a person who, in the court’s opinion, has a proper interest in the proceeding; or a person holding media accreditation; or a witness giving evidence; or a person who is an intermediary under the Evidence Act 1977 , part 2 , division 4C for a witness giving evidence; or if a witness is a complainant within the meaning of the Evidence Act 1977 , section 103ZZL —a person whose presence will provide emotional support to the witness; or a party or person representing a party to the proceeding, including, for example, a police officer or other person in charge of a case against a child in relation to an offence; or a representative of the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or the public guardian under the Public Guardian Act 2014 ; or if the proceeding is a child protection proceeding under the Child Protection Act 1999 —the chief executive (child safety); or if the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person— a representative of an organisation whose principal purpose is the provision of welfare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families; or a representative of the community justice group in the child’s community who is to make submissions that are relevant to sentencing the child; or an infant or young child in the care of an adult who may be present in the room.\n(sec.20-ssec.2) Also, the court may permit to be present in the room— a person who is engaged in— a course of professional study relevant to the operation of the court; or research approved by the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or a person who, in the court’s opinion, will assist the court.\n(sec.20-ssec.3) Despite subsection (1) , if the court is hearing a matter under the Mental Health Act 2016 , section 172 or 173 , the court must exclude from the room a person mentioned in subsection (1) (c) unless the court is satisfied it is in the interests of justice to permit the person to be present.\n(sec.20-ssec.4) Also, this section does not affect any order made, or that may be made, by the court under the Evidence Act 1977 , section 21A — excluding any person (including a defendant) from the place in which the court is sitting; or permitting any person to be present while a special witness within the meaning of that section is giving evidence.\n(sec.20-ssec.5) This section— applies even if the court’s jurisdiction is being exercised conjointly with another jurisdiction; and does not apply to the court when constituted by a judge exercising jurisdiction to hear and determine a charge on indictment.\n(sec.20-ssec.6) In this section— chief executive (child safety) means the chief executive of the department in which the Child Protection Act 1999 is administered. chief executive (youth justice) means the chief executive of the department in which the Youth Justice Act 1992 is administered. child’s community means the child’s Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community, whether it is— an urban community; or a rural community; or a community on DOGIT land under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 or the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 . community justice group , for a child, means— the community justice group established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984 , part 4 , for the child’s community; or a group of persons within the child’s community, other than a department of government, that is involved in the provision of any of the following— information to a court about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders; diversionary, interventionist or rehabilitation activities relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders; other activities relating to local justice issues; or a group of persons made up of the elders or other respected persons of the child’s community. criminal proceeding means a proceeding under the Youth Justice Act 1992 in relation to an offence committed by a child, and includes an appeal proceeding, a sentence review or a proceeding for the sentencing of a child. media accreditation means accreditation under the Supreme Court’s media accreditation policy. offence , committed by a child, includes an offence the child is alleged to have committed. relative — of a victim of an offence committed by a child, means— a spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent or grandchild of the victim; or a child, other than a child mentioned in subparagraph (i) , for whom the victim has parental responsibility; or a person who, under Aboriginal tradition or Island custom, is regarded as a person mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii) ; or of a deceased victim of an offence committed by a child, means a person who would be a relative mentioned in paragraph (a) if the victim were not deceased. Supreme Court’s media accreditation policy means the media accreditation policy in effect and made under or appended to a practice direction of the Supreme Court.\n- (a) the child; or\n- (b) a parent or other adult member of the child’s family; or\n- (c) if the proceeding is a criminal proceeding— (i) a victim, or a relative of a victim, of the offence committed by the child; or (ii) a relative of a deceased victim of the offence committed by the child; or (iii) a person who is a representative of a victim, or of a relative of a deceased victim, of the offence committed by the child; or Examples for subparagraph (iii) — • a person who provides support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding • a member of an organisation that is providing support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding (iv) a person who, in the court’s opinion, has a proper interest in the proceeding; or (v) a person holding media accreditation; or\n- (i) a victim, or a relative of a victim, of the offence committed by the child; or\n- (ii) a relative of a deceased victim of the offence committed by the child; or\n- (iii) a person who is a representative of a victim, or of a relative of a deceased victim, of the offence committed by the child; or Examples for subparagraph (iii) — • a person who provides support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding • a member of an organisation that is providing support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\n- • a person who provides support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\n- • a member of an organisation that is providing support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\n- (iv) a person who, in the court’s opinion, has a proper interest in the proceeding; or\n- (v) a person holding media accreditation; or\n- (d) a witness giving evidence; or\n- (e) a person who is an intermediary under the Evidence Act 1977 , part 2 , division 4C for a witness giving evidence; or\n- (f) if a witness is a complainant within the meaning of the Evidence Act 1977 , section 103ZZL —a person whose presence will provide emotional support to the witness; or\n- (g) a party or person representing a party to the proceeding, including, for example, a police officer or other person in charge of a case against a child in relation to an offence; or\n- (h) a representative of the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or\n- (i) the public guardian under the Public Guardian Act 2014 ; or\n- (j) if the proceeding is a child protection proceeding under the Child Protection Act 1999 —the chief executive (child safety); or\n- (k) if the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person— (i) a representative of an organisation whose principal purpose is the provision of welfare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families; or (ii) a representative of the community justice group in the child’s community who is to make submissions that are relevant to sentencing the child; or\n- (i) a representative of an organisation whose principal purpose is the provision of welfare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families; or\n- (ii) a representative of the community justice group in the child’s community who is to make submissions that are relevant to sentencing the child; or\n- (l) an infant or young child in the care of an adult who may be present in the room.\n- (i) a victim, or a relative of a victim, of the offence committed by the child; or\n- (ii) a relative of a deceased victim of the offence committed by the child; or\n- (iii) a person who is a representative of a victim, or of a relative of a deceased victim, of the offence committed by the child; or Examples for subparagraph (iii) — • a person who provides support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding • a member of an organisation that is providing support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\n- • a person who provides support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\n- • a member of an organisation that is providing support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\n- (iv) a person who, in the court’s opinion, has a proper interest in the proceeding; or\n- (v) a person holding media accreditation; or\n- • a person who provides support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\n- • a member of an organisation that is providing support or assistance to a victim, or a relative of a deceased victim, in relation to the proceeding\n- (i) a representative of an organisation whose principal purpose is the provision of welfare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families; or\n- (ii) a representative of the community justice group in the child’s community who is to make submissions that are relevant to sentencing the child; or\n- (a) a person who is engaged in— (i) a course of professional study relevant to the operation of the court; or (ii) research approved by the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or\n- (i) a course of professional study relevant to the operation of the court; or\n- (ii) research approved by the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or\n- (b) a person who, in the court’s opinion, will assist the court.\n- (i) a course of professional study relevant to the operation of the court; or\n- (ii) research approved by the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or\n- (a) excluding any person (including a defendant) from the place in which the court is sitting; or\n- (b) permitting any person to be present while a special witness within the meaning of that section is giving evidence.\n- (a) applies even if the court’s jurisdiction is being exercised conjointly with another jurisdiction; and\n- (b) does not apply to the court when constituted by a judge exercising jurisdiction to hear and determine a charge on indictment.\n- (a) an urban community; or\n- (b) a rural community; or\n- (c) a community on DOGIT land under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 or the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 .\n- (a) the community justice group established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984 , part 4 , for the child’s community; or\n- (b) a group of persons within the child’s community, other than a department of government, that is involved in the provision of any of the following— (i) information to a court about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders; (ii) diversionary, interventionist or rehabilitation activities relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders; (iii) other activities relating to local justice issues; or\n- (i) information to a court about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders;\n- (ii) diversionary, interventionist or rehabilitation activities relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders;\n- (iii) other activities relating to local justice issues; or\n- (c) a group of persons made up of the elders or other respected persons of the child’s community.\n- (i) information to a court about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders;\n- (ii) diversionary, interventionist or rehabilitation activities relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander offenders;\n- (iii) other activities relating to local justice issues; or\n- (a) of a victim of an offence committed by a child, means— (i) a spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent or grandchild of the victim; or (ii) a child, other than a child mentioned in subparagraph (i) , for whom the victim has parental responsibility; or (iii) a person who, under Aboriginal tradition or Island custom, is regarded as a person mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii) ; or\n- (i) a spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent or grandchild of the victim; or\n- (ii) a child, other than a child mentioned in subparagraph (i) , for whom the victim has parental responsibility; or\n- (iii) a person who, under Aboriginal tradition or Island custom, is regarded as a person mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii) ; or\n- (b) of a deceased victim of an offence committed by a child, means a person who would be a relative mentioned in paragraph (a) if the victim were not deceased.\n- (i) a spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent or grandchild of the victim; or\n- (ii) a child, other than a child mentioned in subparagraph (i) , for whom the victim has parental responsibility; or\n- (iii) a person who, under Aboriginal tradition or Island custom, is regarded as a person mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii) ; or","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Court sitting times","content":"### sec.21 Court sitting times\n\nSubject to the rules and the directions of the president or chief magistrate under section 8 , proceedings before the court—\nwhen constituted by a judge—may be held at any time; or\nwhen constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices—must be held at special times fixed in advance by the proper officer of the court.\ns 21 sub 1993 No. 76 s 3 sch 1\namd 2014 No. 28 s 46\n- (a) when constituted by a judge—may be held at any time; or\n- (b) when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices—must be held at special times fixed in advance by the proper officer of the court.","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21A","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.21A\n\ns 21A prev s 21A ins 1997 No. 38 s 6\nom 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3\npres s 21A ins 2014 No. 9 s 31\namd 2016 No. 23 s 98\nom 2016 No. 39 s 6","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21B","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.21B\n\ns 21B prev s 21B ins 1997 No. 38 s 6\nom 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3\npres s 21B ins 2014 No. 9 s 31\nom 2016 No. 39 s 6","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21C","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.21C\n\ns 21C prev s 21C ins 1997 No. 38 s 6\nom 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3\npres s 21C ins 2014 No. 9 s 31\nom 2016 No. 39 s 6","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21D","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.21D\n\ns 21D prev s 21D ins 1997 No. 38 s 6\nom 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3\npres s 21D ins 2014 No. 9 s 31\namd 2016 No. 23 s 99\nom 2016 No. 39 s 6","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21E","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.21E\n\ns 21E prev s 21E ins 1997 No. 38 s 6\nom 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3\npres s 21E ins 2014 No. 9 s 31\nom 2016 No. 39 s 6","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4A","sectionType":"part","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21F","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.21F\n\ns 21F ins 1997 No. 38 s 6\nom 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"pt.5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Jury trials","content":"# Jury trials","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"sec.22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Jury in criminal trials","content":"### sec.22 Jury in criminal trials\n\nAll indictable offences prosecuted in the Childrens Court must be tried by a Childrens Court judge and a jury.\nSubsection (1) is subject to an Act that allows or requires an indictable offence prosecuted in the Childrens Court to be tried in another way.\nDespite section 18 (1) (a) , a trial by a Childrens Court judge and a jury must be held at a place where a District Court may be held.\nThe Jury Act 1995 states the law about the following—\nthe obligation to perform jury service;\norganisation of juries generally;\nthe selection of a jury;\narrangements for a jury during a trial;\njuror’s remuneration and allowances.\ns 22 ins 2002 No. 39 s 140\n(sec.22-ssec.1) All indictable offences prosecuted in the Childrens Court must be tried by a Childrens Court judge and a jury.\n(sec.22-ssec.2) Subsection (1) is subject to an Act that allows or requires an indictable offence prosecuted in the Childrens Court to be tried in another way.\n(sec.22-ssec.3) Despite section 18 (1) (a) , a trial by a Childrens Court judge and a jury must be held at a place where a District Court may be held.\n(sec.22-ssec.4) The Jury Act 1995 states the law about the following— the obligation to perform jury service; organisation of juries generally; the selection of a jury; arrangements for a jury during a trial; juror’s remuneration and allowances.\n- (a) the obligation to perform jury service;\n- (b) organisation of juries generally;\n- (c) the selection of a jury;\n- (d) arrangements for a jury during a trial;\n- (e) juror’s remuneration and allowances.","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"sec.23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Issues of law and fact","content":"### sec.23 Issues of law and fact\n\nIssues of law and fact are to be decided by the judge or jury as if the trial were a trial on indictment in the Supreme Court.\ns 23 ins 2002 No. 39 s 140","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"pt.6","sectionType":"part","heading":"General","content":"# General","sortOrder":41},{"sectionNumber":"sec.24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Annual report","content":"### sec.24 Annual report\n\nAs soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, but no later than 5 months after the end of the financial year, the president must give to the Attorney-General a report of the administration and operation of the Childrens Court during the year.\nThe Attorney-General must cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Legislative Assembly within 14 days of receiving it.\nIf, at the time the Attorney-General would otherwise be required to lay the report before the Legislative Assembly, the Legislative Assembly is not sitting, the Attorney-General must give a copy of the report to the clerk of the Parliament.\nThe clerk must cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Legislative Assembly on its next sitting day.\nFor the purposes of its publication, the report is taken to have been laid before the Legislative Assembly, and to have been ordered to be published by the Legislative Assembly, when it is given to the clerk.\nThe first report must cover the period from the commencement of section 4 until the end of the first full financial year of the court’s operation.\ns 24 (prev s 22) amd 2003 No. 8 s 17 sch\nrenum 2002 No. 39 s 139\namd 2002 No. 39 s 141\n(sec.24-ssec.1) As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, but no later than 5 months after the end of the financial year, the president must give to the Attorney-General a report of the administration and operation of the Childrens Court during the year.\n(sec.24-ssec.2) The Attorney-General must cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Legislative Assembly within 14 days of receiving it.\n(sec.24-ssec.3) If, at the time the Attorney-General would otherwise be required to lay the report before the Legislative Assembly, the Legislative Assembly is not sitting, the Attorney-General must give a copy of the report to the clerk of the Parliament.\n(sec.24-ssec.4) The clerk must cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Legislative Assembly on its next sitting day.\n(sec.24-ssec.5) For the purposes of its publication, the report is taken to have been laid before the Legislative Assembly, and to have been ordered to be published by the Legislative Assembly, when it is given to the clerk.\n(sec.24-ssec.6) The first report must cover the period from the commencement of section 4 until the end of the first full financial year of the court’s operation.","sortOrder":42},{"sectionNumber":"sec.25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Ordinary privileges, protection and immunity allowed","content":"### sec.25 Ordinary privileges, protection and immunity allowed\n\nIn this section—\ncourt of concurrent jurisdiction means—\nin relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a judge—the District Court; or\nin relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices—a Magistrates Court.\nproceeding means a proceeding in the Childrens Court.\nA person who is—\na judicial officer presiding over a proceeding; or\na legal practitioner appearing in a proceeding; or\na witness attending in a proceeding;\nhas the same privileges, protection or immunity as the person would have if the proceeding were in the court of concurrent jurisdiction.\ns 25 (prev s 23) amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch\nrenum 2002 No. 39 s 139\namd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch\n(sec.25-ssec.1) In this section— court of concurrent jurisdiction means— in relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a judge—the District Court; or in relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices—a Magistrates Court. proceeding means a proceeding in the Childrens Court.\n(sec.25-ssec.2) A person who is— a judicial officer presiding over a proceeding; or a legal practitioner appearing in a proceeding; or a witness attending in a proceeding; has the same privileges, protection or immunity as the person would have if the proceeding were in the court of concurrent jurisdiction.\n- (a) in relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a judge—the District Court; or\n- (b) in relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices—a Magistrates Court.\n- (a) a judicial officer presiding over a proceeding; or\n- (b) a legal practitioner appearing in a proceeding; or\n- (c) a witness attending in a proceeding;","sortOrder":43},{"sectionNumber":"sec.26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Contempt","content":"### sec.26 Contempt\n\nA judge has the same power to punish a person for contempt of the court as the judge has to punish a person for contempt of the District Court.\nThe District Court of Queensland Act 1967 , section 129 applies in relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a judge in the same way as it applies in relation to the District Court.\nIn the performance of duties in relation to the Childrens Court, a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices have the same power to punish for contempt as a magistrate has or justices have, as the case may be, to punish for contempt of a Magistrates Court.\nThe Justices Act 1886 , section 40 applies in relation to the court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices in the same way as it applies in relation to a Magistrates Court.\ns 26 (prev s 24) amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch ; 2000 No. 46 s 3 sch\nrenum 2002 No. 39 s 139\namd 2004 No. 43 s 3 sch ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch\n(sec.26-ssec.1) A judge has the same power to punish a person for contempt of the court as the judge has to punish a person for contempt of the District Court.\n(sec.26-ssec.2) The District Court of Queensland Act 1967 , section 129 applies in relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a judge in the same way as it applies in relation to the District Court.\n(sec.26-ssec.3) In the performance of duties in relation to the Childrens Court, a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices have the same power to punish for contempt as a magistrate has or justices have, as the case may be, to punish for contempt of a Magistrates Court.\n(sec.26-ssec.4) The Justices Act 1886 , section 40 applies in relation to the court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices in the same way as it applies in relation to a Magistrates Court.","sortOrder":44},{"sectionNumber":"sec.27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Court officials","content":"### sec.27 Court officials\n\nEvery person holding office as the clerk, registrar or other court official of a Magistrates Court held at a place is taken to hold the same office in relation to the Childrens Court constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices held at the place.\nEvery person holding office as a registrar, deputy registrar, sheriff or other court official of the District Court held at a place is taken to hold the same office in relation to the Childrens Court constituted by a judge held at the place.\ns 27 (prev s 25) amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch\nrenum 2002 No. 39 s 139\namd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch\n(sec.27-ssec.1) Every person holding office as the clerk, registrar or other court official of a Magistrates Court held at a place is taken to hold the same office in relation to the Childrens Court constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices held at the place.\n(sec.27-ssec.2) Every person holding office as a registrar, deputy registrar, sheriff or other court official of the District Court held at a place is taken to hold the same office in relation to the Childrens Court constituted by a judge held at the place.","sortOrder":45},{"sectionNumber":"sec.28","sectionType":"section","heading":"Court records","content":"### sec.28 Court records\n\nThe records of the court held at a place must be kept in the custody of the registrar or clerk of the court at the place.\ns 28 (prev s 26) renum 2002 No. 39 s 139","sortOrder":46},{"sectionNumber":"sec.28AA","sectionType":"section","heading":"Access to child protection records by Australian court or tribunal","content":"### sec.28AA Access to child protection records by Australian court or tribunal\n\nThe registrar or clerk of the court may give an Australian court or tribunal access to a child protection record, or information from a child protection record, if the record or information is relevant to a proceeding before the Australian court or tribunal.\nIn this section—\nAustralian court or tribunal means a court or tribunal of the Commonwealth or of a State.\nchild protection record means a court record, or part of a court record, for a proceeding under the Child Protection Act 1999 .\ns 28AA ins 2024 No. 50 s 13\n(sec.28AA-ssec.1) The registrar or clerk of the court may give an Australian court or tribunal access to a child protection record, or information from a child protection record, if the record or information is relevant to a proceeding before the Australian court or tribunal.\n(sec.28AA-ssec.2) In this section— Australian court or tribunal means a court or tribunal of the Commonwealth or of a State. child protection record means a court record, or part of a court record, for a proceeding under the Child Protection Act 1999 .","sortOrder":47},{"sectionNumber":"sec.28A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Access to court records for approved research","content":"### sec.28A Access to court records for approved research\n\nThe chief executive may authorise a person to have access to a record, or information from a record, to allow the person to carry out research.\nHowever, the chief executive may authorise access only if the chief executive is satisfied—\nthe record or information will not be used or published in a way that could reasonably be expected to result in the identification of any of the individuals to whom it relates; and\nit would not be inappropriate to authorise the access in all the circumstances including, for example, the cost to the department of providing the access.\nThe registrar or clerk of a court may give a person access to a record or information from a record under an authorisation under this section.\nIn this section—\nrecord means a court record or part of a court record.\ns 28A ins 2010 No. 42 s 20\n(sec.28A-ssec.1) The chief executive may authorise a person to have access to a record, or information from a record, to allow the person to carry out research.\n(sec.28A-ssec.2) However, the chief executive may authorise access only if the chief executive is satisfied— the record or information will not be used or published in a way that could reasonably be expected to result in the identification of any of the individuals to whom it relates; and it would not be inappropriate to authorise the access in all the circumstances including, for example, the cost to the department of providing the access.\n(sec.28A-ssec.3) The registrar or clerk of a court may give a person access to a record or information from a record under an authorisation under this section.\n(sec.28A-ssec.4) In this section— record means a court record or part of a court record.\n- (a) the record or information will not be used or published in a way that could reasonably be expected to result in the identification of any of the individuals to whom it relates; and\n- (b) it would not be inappropriate to authorise the access in all the circumstances including, for example, the cost to the department of providing the access.","sortOrder":48},{"sectionNumber":"sec.29","sectionType":"section","heading":"Judicial notice","content":"### sec.29 Judicial notice\n\nAll courts and persons acting judicially must take judicial notice of the appointment and signature of every person holding office under this Act.\ns 29 (prev s 27) renum 2002 No. 39 s 139","sortOrder":49},{"sectionNumber":"sec.30","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to Childrens Court","content":"### sec.30 References to Childrens Court\n\nA reference in another Act to the Childrens Court or a Childrens Court (whether the expression ‘the Childrens Court’, ‘a Children’s Court’ or ‘a Childrens Court’ or another expression is used) is, in relation to anything done, or proposed to be done, after the commencement of section 4 , taken to be a reference to the Childrens Court established under this Act.\nSubsection (1) applies to a reference in an Act passed before the commencement of section 4 despite the reference being expressly to the Childrens Court or a Childrens Court constituted under an Act other than this Act.\ns 30 orig s 30 ins 1995 No. 50 s 3 sch\nexp 22 November 1996 (see s 30(3))\nprev s 30 ins 1997 No. 38 s 7\nexp 1 August 1999 (see s 30(3))\npres s 30 (prev s 28) ins 1992 No. 68 s 3 sch 1\nrenum 2002 No. 39 s 139\n(sec.30-ssec.1) A reference in another Act to the Childrens Court or a Childrens Court (whether the expression ‘the Childrens Court’, ‘a Children’s Court’ or ‘a Childrens Court’ or another expression is used) is, in relation to anything done, or proposed to be done, after the commencement of section 4 , taken to be a reference to the Childrens Court established under this Act.\n(sec.30-ssec.2) Subsection (1) applies to a reference in an Act passed before the commencement of section 4 despite the reference being expressly to the Childrens Court or a Childrens Court constituted under an Act other than this Act.","sortOrder":50},{"sectionNumber":"sec.30A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Approved forms","content":"### sec.30A Approved forms\n\nThe president may approve forms for use under this Act.\ns 30A ins 2012 No. 17 s 4","sortOrder":51},{"sectionNumber":"sec.31","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulation-making power","content":"### sec.31 Regulation-making power\n\nThe Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.\ns 31 (prev s 28) renum 1992 No. 68 s 3 sch 1\n(prev s 29) sub 1995 No. 57 s 4 sch 1\nrenum 2002 No. 39 s 139","sortOrder":52},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7","sectionType":"part","heading":"Transitional and validation provisions","content":"# Transitional and validation provisions","sortOrder":53},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provision for Child Protection Act 1999","content":"## Transitional provision for Child Protection Act 1999","sortOrder":54},{"sectionNumber":"sec.32","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional provision for Child Protection Act 1999","content":"### sec.32 Transitional provision for Child Protection Act 1999\n\nThis section applies if, before the commencement of the Child Protection Act 1999 , chapter 3, part 4—\na person appealed, under part 4A, against a supervision order or care order; and\nthe appeal has not been finally decided.\nThe appeal may be dealt with under the Child Protection Act 1999 .\nIn this section—\ncare order means an order under the Children’s Services Act 1965 , section 49(4)(a)(iii) or section 61(4)(a)(iii).\nsupervision order means an order under the Children’s Services Act 1965 , section 49(4)(a)(ii) or section 61(4)(a)(ii).\ns 32 (prev s 31) ins 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3\nrenum 2002 No. 39 s 139\n(sec.32-ssec.1) This section applies if, before the commencement of the Child Protection Act 1999 , chapter 3, part 4— a person appealed, under part 4A, against a supervision order or care order; and the appeal has not been finally decided.\n(sec.32-ssec.2) The appeal may be dealt with under the Child Protection Act 1999 .\n(sec.32-ssec.3) In this section— care order means an order under the Children’s Services Act 1965 , section 49(4)(a)(iii) or section 61(4)(a)(iii). supervision order means an order under the Children’s Services Act 1965 , section 49(4)(a)(ii) or section 61(4)(a)(ii).\n- (a) a person appealed, under part 4A, against a supervision order or care order; and\n- (b) the appeal has not been finally decided.","sortOrder":55},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008","content":"## Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008","sortOrder":56},{"sectionNumber":"sec.33","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008 , pt 3","content":"### sec.33 Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008 , pt 3\n\nThis section applies if, immediately before the commencement of this section, a person holds office as a Childrens Court magistrate.\nThe person’s term of appointment is taken to end 5 years after the person was first appointed.\ns 33 ins 2008 No. 59 s 8\n(sec.33-ssec.1) This section applies if, immediately before the commencement of this section, a person holds office as a Childrens Court magistrate.\n(sec.33-ssec.2) The person’s term of appointment is taken to end 5 years after the person was first appointed.","sortOrder":57},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional and validation provisions for Penalties and Sentences and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012","content":"## Transitional and validation provisions for Penalties and Sentences and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012","sortOrder":58},{"sectionNumber":"sec.34","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition for div 3","content":"### sec.34 Definition for div 3\n\nIn this division—\ncommencement means the commencement of this section.\ns 34 ins 2012 No. 17 s 8","sortOrder":59},{"sectionNumber":"sec.35","sectionType":"section","heading":"Validation provision for Childrens Court Rules","content":"### sec.35 Validation provision for Childrens Court Rules\n\nDespite the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 , section 54, the Childrens Court Rules 1997 —\nare taken not to have expired on 1 September 2008; and\ncontinue in force until they are repealed under this Act.\nAnything done, purported to have been done or omitted to be done under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement has the same effect as it would have had if the Childrens Court Rules 1997 had not expired.\nWithout limiting subsection (2)—\nan order, direction or decision made under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, made under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired; and\na right, privilege or liability purportedly acquired, accrued or incurred under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, a right, privilege or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired; and\na form approved or purported to have been approved under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, approved under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired.\nThe amendment of the Childrens Court Rules 1997 by the Childrens Court Amendment Rule (No. 1) 2010 has the same effect as it would have had if the Childrens Court Rules 1997 had not expired.\ns 35 ins 2012 No. 17 s 8\n(sec.35-ssec.1) Despite the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 , section 54, the Childrens Court Rules 1997 — are taken not to have expired on 1 September 2008; and continue in force until they are repealed under this Act.\n(sec.35-ssec.2) Anything done, purported to have been done or omitted to be done under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement has the same effect as it would have had if the Childrens Court Rules 1997 had not expired.\n(sec.35-ssec.3) Without limiting subsection (2)— an order, direction or decision made under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, made under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired; and a right, privilege or liability purportedly acquired, accrued or incurred under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, a right, privilege or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired; and a form approved or purported to have been approved under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, approved under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired.\n(sec.35-ssec.4) The amendment of the Childrens Court Rules 1997 by the Childrens Court Amendment Rule (No. 1) 2010 has the same effect as it would have had if the Childrens Court Rules 1997 had not expired.\n- (a) are taken not to have expired on 1 September 2008; and\n- (b) continue in force until they are repealed under this Act.\n- (a) an order, direction or decision made under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, made under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired; and\n- (b) a right, privilege or liability purportedly acquired, accrued or incurred under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, a right, privilege or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired; and\n- (c) a form approved or purported to have been approved under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 before the commencement is taken to be, and to have always been, approved under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 as if those rules had not expired.","sortOrder":60},{"sectionNumber":"sec.36","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional provision for approved forms","content":"### sec.36 Transitional provision for approved forms\n\nThis section applies if, immediately before the commencement, a form was approved for a purpose under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 .\nThe form is taken to have been approved under section 30A for the purpose.\ns 36 ins 2012 No. 17 s 8\n(sec.36-ssec.1) This section applies if, immediately before the commencement, a form was approved for a purpose under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 .\n(sec.36-ssec.2) The form is taken to have been approved under section 30A for the purpose.","sortOrder":61},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.4","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provision for Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014","content":"## Transitional provision for Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014","sortOrder":62},{"sectionNumber":"sec.37","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of provision about open and closed proceedings","content":"### sec.37 Application of provision about open and closed proceedings\n\nPart 4, division 2 applies to a proceeding for an offence even if 1 or both of the following happened before the commencement of this section—\nthe commission of the offence;\nthe start of the proceeding for the offence.\ns 37 ins 2014 No. 9 s 32\n- (a) the commission of the offence;\n- (b) the start of the proceeding for the offence.","sortOrder":63},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.5","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provision for Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2014","content":"## Transitional provision for Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2014","sortOrder":64},{"sectionNumber":"sec.38","sectionType":"section","heading":"Term of office of current Childrens Court magistrates","content":"### sec.38 Term of office of current Childrens Court magistrates\n\nThis section applies to a person holding an appointment as a Childrens Court magistrate immediately before the commencement of this section.\nThe person’s appointment continues on the same conditions until the person ceases to hold the office of Childrens Court magistrate under section 15.\nSubsection (2) applies despite a term of appointment stated in the person’s instrument of appointment.\nSubsection (2) does not affect the power of the Governor in Council under this Act to change the conditions of the appointment.\ns 38 ins 2014 No. 28 s 47\n(sec.38-ssec.1) This section applies to a person holding an appointment as a Childrens Court magistrate immediately before the commencement of this section.\n(sec.38-ssec.2) The person’s appointment continues on the same conditions until the person ceases to hold the office of Childrens Court magistrate under section 15.\n(sec.38-ssec.3) Subsection (2) applies despite a term of appointment stated in the person’s instrument of appointment.\n(sec.38-ssec.4) Subsection (2) does not affect the power of the Governor in Council under this Act to change the conditions of the appointment.","sortOrder":65},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.6","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provision for Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024","content":"## Transitional provision for Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024","sortOrder":66},{"sectionNumber":"sec.39","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of s 28AA","content":"### sec.39 Application of s 28AA\n\nSection 28AA applies in relation to a child protection record whether the record was or is made before or after the commencement.\nIn this section—\nchild protection record means a court record, or part of a court record, for a proceeding under the Child Protection Act 1999 .\ns 39 ins 2024 No. 50 s 14\n(sec.39-ssec.1) Section 28AA applies in relation to a child protection record whether the record was or is made before or after the commencement.\n(sec.39-ssec.2) In this section— child protection record means a court record, or part of a court record, for a proceeding under the Child Protection Act 1999 .","sortOrder":67},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7-div.7","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provisions for Making Queensland Safer Act 2024","content":"## Transitional provisions for Making Queensland Safer Act 2024","sortOrder":68},{"sectionNumber":"sec.40","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition for division","content":"### sec.40 Definition for division\n\nIn this division—\nnew section 20 means section 20 as in force from the commencement.\ns 40 ins 2024 No. 54 s 5","sortOrder":69},{"sectionNumber":"sec.41","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of new s 20","content":"### sec.41 Application of new s 20\n\nSubject to section 42, new section 20 applies in relation to a proceeding whether the proceeding was started before, or is started after, the commencement of this section.\ns 41 ins 2024 No. 54 s 5","sortOrder":70},{"sectionNumber":"sec.42","sectionType":"section","heading":"Existing exclusion orders","content":"### sec.42 Existing exclusion orders\n\nThis section applies in relation to an exclusion order made by the court under former section 20 if the order—\nwas in effect immediately before the commencement; and\napplies in relation to a proceeding that has not been decided, discontinued, finalised or withdrawn immediately before the commencement.\nA person who is subject to the exclusion order may apply to the court to have the order set aside.\nIf the court is satisfied the applicant is a person mentioned in new section 20(1)(c), the court must set aside the exclusion order.\nIn this section—\nformer section 20 means section 20 as in force from time to time before the commencement.\ns 42 ins 2024 No. 54 s 5\n(sec.42-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to an exclusion order made by the court under former section 20 if the order— was in effect immediately before the commencement; and applies in relation to a proceeding that has not been decided, discontinued, finalised or withdrawn immediately before the commencement.\n(sec.42-ssec.2) A person who is subject to the exclusion order may apply to the court to have the order set aside.\n(sec.42-ssec.3) If the court is satisfied the applicant is a person mentioned in new section 20(1)(c), the court must set aside the exclusion order.\n(sec.42-ssec.4) In this section— former section 20 means section 20 as in force from time to time before the commencement.\n- (a) was in effect immediately before the commencement; and\n- (b) applies in relation to a proceeding that has not been decided, discontinued, finalised or withdrawn immediately before the commencement.","sortOrder":71},{"sectionNumber":"pt","sectionType":"part","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":72}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond its original 1992 establishment framework. While originally focused on establishing the court and its basic constitution, it has expanded to include: detailed information sharing provisions with other jurisdictions (s.28AA), approved research access frameworks (s.28A), complex victim and community participation rules (s.20), and extensive transitional provisions validating past administrative actions. The 2014 and 2016 amendments show particular expansion in community justice group involvement and youth justice conferencing (later removed), while 2024 amendments added information sharing with Australian courts. The Act has become a hub for procedural and administrative matters rather than merely a constituting statute."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple layers of judicial officers with complex substitution rules (s.5): The court can be constituted by judges, magistrates, or justices of the peace, with specific cascading availability rules and exceptions","Extensive cross-referencing to other legislation: References to Youth Justice Act 1992, Child Protection Act 1999, Evidence Act 1977, District Court of Queensland Act 1967, Justices Act 1886, Jury Act 1995, and others","Detailed definitions section with multiple inserted and omitted terms over time (s.3): Shows legislative evolution with terms like 'youth justice matter' and 'community justice group' being added and removed","Complex attendance rules with multiple exceptions and nested conditions (s.20): 12 categories of permitted persons with sub-conditions, plus discretionary permissions and specific exclusions for mental health matters","Transitional provisions spanning multiple amending Acts: Seven separate divisional transitional provisions dealing with different legislative amendments from 1999 to 2024","Dual jurisdiction nature: The court handles both criminal (youth justice) and civil (child protection) matters under different statutory frameworks"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act establishes the **Childrens Court of Queensland** — a special court that deals with legal matters involving children. It covers two main areas: **youth justice** (criminal matters where a child is accused of breaking the law) and **child protection** (cases where the state intervenes to protect a child from harm).\n\n**Key things the Act does:**\n\n*   **Creates the court**: It establishes the Childrens Court as a formal court of record with its own seal and official status.\n*   **Sets up who can hear cases**: The court can be presided over by:\n    *   A **Childrens Court judge** (a District Court judge with special appointment and expertise in children's matters);\n    *   A **Childrens Court magistrate** (a specially appointed magistrate);\n    *   In some cases, an ordinary magistrate or even two **justices of the peace** (volunteer judicial officers) if the specially appointed officers aren't available.\n*   **Decides where and when the court sits**: The court can operate anywhere in Queensland where Magistrates Courts or District Courts sit. When a judge is presiding, proceedings can happen anytime; when a magistrate presides, they happen at scheduled times.\n*   **Controls who can attend hearings**: The Act has strict rules about who can be in the courtroom during a child's case. Generally, the public is excluded. Only specific people are allowed — such as the child, their family, lawyers, witnesses, victims and their support people, media (with accreditation), and representatives from child safety or youth justice departments. Special provisions exist for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives.\n*   **Provides for jury trials**: Serious criminal charges (indictable offences) must be heard by a judge and jury, similar to the District Court.\n*   **Protects participants**: Judges, lawyers and witnesses get the same legal protections they would have in the District Court or Magistrates Court.\n*   **Allows information sharing**: Recent amendments let child protection records be shared with other Australian courts or tribunals if relevant to their proceedings, and allow approved researchers to access court records (without identifying individuals).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis Act ensures that children involved in the justice system — whether as offenders or as children needing protection — are dealt with in a specialised environment that recognises their vulnerability and developmental needs. It balances the need for justice with the need to protect children from the potentially harmful effects of public exposure in court proceedings."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s operational scope has been expanded and refined by amendments and transitional provisions. Recent additions broaden record‑sharing and access (s 28AA allowing Australian courts/tribunals access to child protection records; s 28A permitting research access subject to non‑identification and appropriateness). Attendance/exclusion rules for child proceedings have been revised and applied prospectively and retrospectively with transitional safeguards (new s 20 and ss 40–42, 37). These changes extend cross‑jurisdictional information flows and adjust who may attend hearings, altering privacy and procedural boundaries set out in the original Act."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑references to other Acts and external policies (e.g. Evidence Act 1977, Mental Health Act 2016, Jury Act 1995, various appointment statutes) increasing interpretive interdependence (see s 20, s 22, s 26, s 6).","Multiple modes of court constitution with substitution rules (Childrens Court judge, District Court judge, Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate, or justices) creating conditional decision paths (s 5).","Layered rule‑making and direction powers split between Governor in Council, president, chief magistrate and individual judicial officers — leaves procedural discretion at several levels (ss 7–8, 8A).","Detailed exclusion/attendance regime for child proceedings with numerous categories and special rules (s 20) raises application complexity.","Record‑access regimes with administrative discretion: research authorisations (s 28A) and cross‑jurisdictional access by Australian courts/tribunals (s 28AA) require value judgments about privacy, identifiability and appropriateness.","Jury trial and venue requirements for indictable offences impose procedural constraints and interactions with jury law (s 22).","Transitional and validation provisions across multiple amendment Acts create temporal complexity and require tracking of commencement and ‘new’ versus ‘former’ provisions (pts 7, ss 35–42).","Appointment, acting appointment and termination rules for judicial officers involve executive recommendation and formal resignation mechanics, adding administrative complexity (ss 9–16).","Concurrency of officials and privileges/immunities tied to concurrent jurisdictions (ss 25–27) requires cross‑court coordination."],"plain_english_summary":"The Act establishes the Childrens Court of Queensland, sets who may sit and how the court operates, and delegates rule‑making and direction powers for procedure and reporting (ss 4–8, 8A, 22, 24). It prescribes who may be present at child proceedings (s 20), provides appointment and acting arrangements for judges and magistrates (ss 9–16), and controls access to court and child‑protection records for research or other Australian courts (ss 28A, 28AA)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act began as a relatively straightforward court establishment framework in 1992. Over time, its scope expanded significantly through amendments: it incorporated victim rights and participation provisions, specific Indigenous community justice group involvement, detailed closed-court attendance rules, jury trial procedures, research access to records, cross-jurisdictional record sharing with other Australian courts, and multiple sets of transitional provisions. Several provisions were inserted and later removed (e.g. sections 21A–21F, first-time offender and community justice group definitions in Part 1), suggesting the legislature experimented with broader reform agendas — including a significant 2014 expansion — before partially reversing course in 2016. The original intent was structural court governance; the current Act now also serves as a procedural and rights-balancing instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple tiers of judicial officers with different powers and availability hierarchies (judges, magistrates, justices of the peace), creating a layered constitutional structure","Extensive and detailed rules about who may be present in court (section 20), with numerous categories, sub-categories, exceptions and cross-references to other Acts","Heavy reliance on cross-references to other Queensland legislation (Youth Justice Act 1992, Child Protection Act 1999, Evidence Act 1977, Mental Health Act 2016, Jury Act 1995, Justices Act 1886, and more)","Multiple layers of transitional and validation provisions spanning different amendment Acts from 1999 to 2024, requiring readers to track historical changes","Retroactive validation provisions (section 35) that deem expired rules to have never expired, creating legal fiction that is conceptually complex","Specific provisions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children requiring understanding of separate community justice frameworks","Distinction between court constitution rules for judge-level versus magistrate-level proceedings, with different geographic sitting restrictions applying to each","Numerous defined terms, some inserted and then subsequently omitted by later amendments, leaving definitional gaps visible in the text"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act creates and governs the Childrens Court of Queensland, a specialised court for matters involving children — criminal and child protection — and sets out who may sit on it and how it operates. It protects children's privacy, recognises roles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, requires jury trials for the most serious charges, restricts access to court records, and mandates annual public reporting. It affects children, their families and victims, judicial officers, lawyers, police, researchers and media."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/childrens-court-act-1992","history":"/api/acts/childrens-court-act-1992/history","analysis":"/api/acts/childrens-court-act-1992/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/childrens-court-act-1992/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/childrens-court-act-1992/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/childrens-court-act-1992/documents"}}