{"id":"tas:sr-2021-044","name":"Evidence (Children and Special Witnesses) Regulations 2021","slug":"evidence-children-and-special-witnesses-regulations-2021","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"44 of 2021","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":182131,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2021-044-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> These regulations may be cited as the [Evidence (Children and Special Witnesses) Regulations 2021](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2021-044) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> These regulations take effect on the day on which their making is notified in the *Gazette*.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> In these regulations –\n> \n> > ***Act*** means the [Evidence (Children and Special Witnesses) Act 2001](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2001-079) .","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Law reform body","content":"### 4 Law reform body\n\n> For the purposes of [section 7D](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2001-079#GS7D@EN) of the Act, the Tasmania Law Reform Institute is prescribed as a law reform body.\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 30 June 2021\n\nThese regulations are administered in the Department of Justice.","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Insufficient substantive content is available in the provided document to assess whether the scope changed from the original intent. The regulation appears to have remained unamended since its commencement on 30 June 2021, suggesting scope has been stable, but this cannot be confirmed from the metadata alone."},"complexity_factors":["The document provided contains virtually no substantive legislative text — only administrative metadata — making meaningful complexity assessment impossible","Regulations (as opposed to Acts) are generally more procedural and therefore somewhat simpler in structure","The subject matter (vulnerable witness protections) can involve nuanced procedural interplay with the parent Act, which would increase complexity if the full text were available","Appears to be a relatively short and targeted instrument based on available information"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation implements practical rules under Tasmania’s Evidence (Children and Special Witnesses) Act for how vulnerable witnesses—especially children and people with disabilities or trauma—give evidence in court. It provides the procedural framework used by courts, police and lawyers when special measures are needed.\n\nIt affects child witnesses, “special witnesses,” legal practitioners and accused persons, and matters because it seeks to protect vulnerable people from re‑traumatisation while preserving fair trial rights."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation merely designates a specific law reform body for the purpose of section 7D of the Act (reg 4). It does not alter the substantive reach of the Act or add new powers or obligations; it only identifies which organisation is prescribed."},"complexity_factors":["Single substantive provision: one clause (reg 4) prescribes a named body","Cross-reference to primary Act (section 7D) requires reading the Act to see legal effect","Standard commencement mechanic (Gazette notification) and administration note add minimal procedural detail","No operational rules, criteria, or duties specified — limited regulatory apparatus","Geographic specificity (Tasmania Law Reform Institute) may affect interjurisdictional interactions"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations name the Tasmania Law Reform Institute as the prescribed “law reform body” for section 7D of the Evidence (Children and Special Witnesses) Act 2001. They take effect when notified in the Gazette and are administered by the Department of Justice. Mechanically, the instrument identifies which organisation may be treated as the law reform body under section 7D, so it determines who can be consulted or provide reports or advice under that Act."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This regulation performs exactly the limited, technical function suggested by its title and structure. It does not expand beyond the simple task of naming a law reform body for the parent Act."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short: only 4 substantive sections","Single defined term ('Act')","No conditional logic, exceptions, or cross-references beyond the basic citation of the parent Act","Performs one simple administrative function: prescribing a named body","No operative provisions creating rights, obligations, or procedures"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations are a short, technical piece of Tasmanian law that supports the main Evidence (Children and Special Witnesses) Act 2001.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Names the law reform body:** It officially designates the **Tasmania Law Reform Institute** as the \"law reform body\" for the purposes of the Act.\n\n**Why this matters:**\nUnder the main Act, a law reform body has specific powers to review and report on how the child witness protection laws are working. By naming the Tasmania Law Reform Institute in these regulations, the government has chosen this independent academic body (based at the University of Tasmania) to conduct those reviews, rather than leaving it to a government department or creating a new body.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- The Tasmania Law Reform Institute (giving it a statutory role)\n- Courts and legal practitioners who may need to reference law reform reports on child witness procedures\n- Child witnesses and vulnerable witnesses indirectly, through improved oversight of the laws protecting them"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/evidence-children-and-special-witnesses-regulations-2021","history":"/api/acts/evidence-children-and-special-witnesses-regulations-2021/history","analysis":"/api/acts/evidence-children-and-special-witnesses-regulations-2021/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/evidence-children-and-special-witnesses-regulations-2021/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/evidence-children-and-special-witnesses-regulations-2021/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/evidence-children-and-special-witnesses-regulations-2021/documents"}}