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).
This Act establishes and governs the Childrens Court of Queensland, setting out its constitution, jurisdiction, procedure-making powers, membership and appointment rules for judicial officers, sitting arrangements, and certain procedural protections and record-keeping and access rules. Mechanically, the Act:
Establishes the Childrens Court of Queensland as a court of record with a seal judicially noticed (s 4).
Specifies the classes of judicial officers who may constitute the court: Childrens Court judges (District Court judges appointed to the Childrens Court), Childrens Court magistrates (magistrates appointed to the Childrens Court), ordinary magistrates, and, in limited circumstances, justices of the peace (s 5).
Allocates jurisdiction as conferred by any Act, with an express cross-reference to the Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 (s 6).
Entrusts procedure to rules made by the Governor in Council with the president’s agreement (the Childrens Court Rules) and permits the president, judges, the chief magistrate and magistrates to issue directions where rules are silent (s 7, s 8).
Creates leadership roles: a president (a Childrens Court judge appointed by Governor in Council on ministerial recommendation) and functions for the president and the chief magistrate to ensure the orderly and expeditious exercise of the court’s jurisdiction (ss 9, 10, 8A).
Sets appointment and termination mechanics for Childrens Court judges and Childrens Court magistrates, tying tenure to holding corresponding District Court or magistrate office (ss 11-16).
Governs where and when the court may sit, separation of proceedings, attendance rules for people in proceedings relating to children, and jury trial rules for indictable offences in the Childrens Court (ss 18-23).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Childrens Court Act 1992.
73
pt.1
Preliminary
Preliminary
sec.1
Short title
sec.1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Childrens Court Act 1992 .
sec.2
Section sec.2
s 2 om 28 November 1995 RA s 37
sec.3
Definitions
sec.3 Definitions
In this Act—
appellate court ...
s 3 def appellate court ins 1997 No. 38 s 5
om 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
Childrens Court judge means a District Court judge appointed to the Childrens Court.
Childrens Court magistrate means a magistrate appointed to the Childrens Court.
child’s community ...
s 3 def child’s community ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
community justice group ...
s 3 def community justice group ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
court means the Childrens Court.
first-time offender ...
s 3 def first-time offender ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
interested person ...
s 3 def interested person ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
judge means a Childrens Court judge.
non-youth justice matter ...
s 3 def non-youth justice matter ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
president means the president of the Childrens Court.
procedure includes practice.
relevant person ...
s 3 def relevant person ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
rules means the Childrens Court Rules.
youth justice matter ...
s 3 def youth justice matter ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
pt.2
The Childrens Court of Queensland
The Childrens Court of Queensland
sec.4
Childrens Court established etc.
sec.4 Childrens Court established etc.
The Childrens Court of Queensland is established.
The court is a court of record.
The court is to have a seal, which must be judicially noticed.
(sec.4-ssec.1) The Childrens Court of Queensland is established.
(sec.4-ssec.2) The court is a court of record.
(sec.4-ssec.3) The court is to have a seal, which must be judicially noticed.
sec.5
Members and constitution of the Childrens Court
sec.5 Members and constitution of the Childrens Court
The members of the Childrens Court are the judicial officers mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) .
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.
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.
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.
In this section—
available means available having regard to the orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction of the District Court and Childrens Court.
s 5 amd 2002 No. 39 s 137 ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
(sec.5-ssec.1) The members of the Childrens Court are the judicial officers mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) .
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(a) a Childrens Court judge;
(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.
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.
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.
(a) a Childrens Court magistrate; or
(b) if a Childrens Court magistrate is not available—any magistrate; or
(c) if neither a Childrens Court magistrate nor other magistrate is available—2 justices of the peace.
sec.6
Jurisdiction
sec.6 Jurisdiction
The Childrens Court has the jurisdiction conferred on it by any Act.
The Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 includes provisions about the exercise of jurisdiction under this Act.
s 6 amd 2003 No. 57 s 39 (1) sch 2
(sec.6-ssec.1) The Childrens Court has the jurisdiction conferred on it by any Act.
(sec.6-ssec.2) The Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 includes provisions about the exercise of jurisdiction under this Act.
sec.7
Rules of court
sec.7 Rules of court
The procedure of the Childrens Court is governed by the Childrens Court Rules.
The Governor in Council may, with the president’s agreement, make rules of court (the Childrens Court Rules ) under this Act.
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.
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.
s 7 amd 1995 No. 57 s 4 sch 1
(sec.7-ssec.1) The procedure of the Childrens Court is governed by the Childrens Court Rules.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(a) that is required or permitted to be prescribed under a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court; or
(b) that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court.
sec.8
Directions
sec.8 Directions
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.
The president may issue directions of general application with respect to the procedure of the court.
A Childrens Court judge may issue directions in relation to a particular case before the court when constituted by the judge.
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.
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.
s 8 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch ; 2014 No. 28 s 42
(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.
(sec.8-ssec.2) The president may issue directions of general application with respect to the procedure of the court.
(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.
(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.
(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.
sec.8A
Leadership of the court
sec.8A Leadership of the court
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.
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.
s 8A ins 2014 No. 28 s 43
(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.
(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.
pt.3
Appointment of judicial officers
Appointment of judicial officers
pt.3-div.1
The president
The president
sec.9
Childrens Court president
sec.9 Childrens Court president
There is to be a president of the court.
The Governor in Council may appoint a Childrens Court judge to be the president of the court.
The president may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.
The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the president as a Childrens Court judge.
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.
(sec.9-ssec.1) There is to be a president of the court.
(sec.9-ssec.2) The Governor in Council may appoint a Childrens Court judge to be the president of the court.
(sec.9-ssec.3) The president may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.
(sec.9-ssec.4) The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the president as a Childrens Court judge.
(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.
(a) the office of president is vacant; or
(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;
sec.10
Functions of president
sec.10 Functions of president
The president has the function given by section 8A (1) and the other functions conferred on the president by this Act or any other Act.
s 10 sub 2014 No. 28 s 44
pt.3-div.2
Childrens Court judges
Childrens Court judges
sec.11
Childrens Court judge
sec.11 Childrens Court judge
The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint 1 or more District Court judges as Childrens Court judges.
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.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
sec.12
Acting judge
sec.12 Acting judge
The 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.
sec.13
Termination of office
sec.13 Termination of office
A Childrens Court judge ceases to hold the office if the judge ceases to hold office as a District Court judge.
A Childrens Court judge may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.
The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the judge as a District Court judge.
(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.
(sec.13-ssec.2) A Childrens Court judge may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.
(sec.13-ssec.3) The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the judge as a District Court judge.
pt.3-div.3
Childrens Court magistrates
Childrens Court magistrates
sec.14
Childrens Court magistrates
sec.14 Childrens Court magistrates
The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint 1 or more magistrates as Childrens Court magistrates.
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.
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.
s 14 amd 2000 No. 58 s 2 sch ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
(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.
(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.
(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.
sec.14A
Section sec.14A
s 14A ins 2008 No. 59 s 6
om 2014 No. 28 s 45
sec.15
Termination of office
sec.15 Termination of office
A Childrens Court magistrate ceases to hold the office if the person ceases to hold office as a magistrate.
A Childrens Court magistrate may resign office by written resignation given to the Attorney-General.
The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the magistrate as a magistrate.
s 15 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
(sec.15-ssec.1) A Childrens Court magistrate ceases to hold the office if the person ceases to hold office as a magistrate.
(sec.15-ssec.2) A Childrens Court magistrate may resign office by written resignation given to the Attorney-General.
(sec.15-ssec.3) The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the magistrate as a magistrate.
sec.16
Acting magistrate
sec.16 Acting magistrate
The 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.
s 16 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
pt.3-div.4
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
sec.17
Jurisdiction not affected by vacancies
sec.17 Jurisdiction not affected by vacancies
The jurisdiction of the court is not affected by a vacancy in any office in the court.
pt.4
Sittings of the court
Sittings of the court
sec.18
Where court may be constituted
sec.18 Where court may be constituted
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.
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.
s 18 amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
(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.
(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.
(a) if it is constituted by a judge—at a place where a Magistrates Court or the District Court may be held; or
(b) if it is constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices—at a place where a Magistrates Court may be held.
(a) may exercise jurisdiction throughout Queensland; and
(b) may sit in more than 1 place at the same time.
sec.19
Separation of court’s proceedings
sec.19 Separation of court’s proceedings
The 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.
s 19 amd 1993 No. 76 s 3 sch 1
sec.20
Who may be present at a proceeding
sec.20 Who may be present at a proceeding
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
s 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
om 2014 No. 9 s 30
pres s 20 ins 2016 No. 39 s 5
amd 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 )
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(a) the child; or
(b) a parent or other adult member of the child’s family; or
(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
(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
• 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
(d) a witness giving evidence; or
(e) a person who is an intermediary under the Evidence Act 1977 , part 2 , division 4C for a witness giving evidence; or
(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
(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
(h) a representative of the chief executive (child safety) or the chief executive (youth justice); or
(i) the public guardian under the Public Guardian Act 2014 ; or
(j) if the proceeding is a child protection proceeding under the Child Protection Act 1999 —the chief executive (child safety); or
(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
(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
(l) an infant or young child in the care of an adult who may be present in the room.
(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
• 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
• 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
(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
(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
(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
(b) a person who, in the court’s opinion, will assist the court.
(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
(a) excluding any person (including a defendant) from the place in which the court is sitting; or
(b) permitting any person to be present while a special witness within the meaning of that section is giving evidence.
(a) applies even if the court’s jurisdiction is being exercised conjointly with another jurisdiction; and
(b) does not apply to the court when constituted by a judge exercising jurisdiction to hear and determine a charge on indictment.
(a) an urban community; or
(b) a rural community; or
(c) a community on DOGIT land under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 or the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 .
(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
(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
(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
(c) a group of persons made up of the elders or other respected persons of the child’s community.
(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
(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
(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
(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.
(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
sec.21
Court sitting times
sec.21 Court sitting times
Subject to the rules and the directions of the president or chief magistrate under section 8 , proceedings before the court—
when constituted by a judge—may be held at any time; or
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.
s 21 sub 1993 No. 76 s 3 sch 1
amd 2014 No. 28 s 46
(a) when constituted by a judge—may be held at any time; or
(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.
sec.21A
Section sec.21A
s 21A prev s 21A ins 1997 No. 38 s 6
om 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
pres s 21A ins 2014 No. 9 s 31
amd 2016 No. 23 s 98
om 2016 No. 39 s 6
sec.21B
Section sec.21B
s 21B prev s 21B ins 1997 No. 38 s 6
om 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
pres s 21B ins 2014 No. 9 s 31
om 2016 No. 39 s 6
sec.21C
Section sec.21C
s 21C prev s 21C ins 1997 No. 38 s 6
om 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
pres s 21C ins 2014 No. 9 s 31
om 2016 No. 39 s 6
sec.21D
Section sec.21D
s 21D prev s 21D ins 1997 No. 38 s 6
om 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
pres s 21D ins 2014 No. 9 s 31
amd 2016 No. 23 s 99
om 2016 No. 39 s 6
sec.21E
Section sec.21E
s 21E prev s 21E ins 1997 No. 38 s 6
om 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
pres s 21E ins 2014 No. 9 s 31
om 2016 No. 39 s 6
pt.4A
sec.21F
Section sec.21F
s 21F ins 1997 No. 38 s 6
om 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
pt.5
Jury trials
Jury trials
sec.22
Jury in criminal trials
sec.22 Jury in criminal trials
All indictable offences prosecuted in the Childrens Court must be tried by a Childrens Court judge and a jury.
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.
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.
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.
s 22 ins 2002 No. 39 s 140
(sec.22-ssec.1) All indictable offences prosecuted in the Childrens Court must be tried by a Childrens Court judge and a jury.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(a) the obligation to perform jury service;
(b) organisation of juries generally;
(c) the selection of a jury;
(d) arrangements for a jury during a trial;
(e) juror’s remuneration and allowances.
sec.23
Issues of law and fact
sec.23 Issues of law and fact
Issues 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.
s 23 ins 2002 No. 39 s 140
pt.6
General
General
sec.24
Annual report
sec.24 Annual report
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.
The Attorney-General must cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Legislative Assembly within 14 days of receiving it.
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.
The clerk must cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Legislative Assembly on its next sitting day.
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.
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.
s 24 (prev s 22) amd 2003 No. 8 s 17 sch
renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
amd 2002 No. 39 s 141
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
sec.25
Ordinary privileges, protection and immunity allowed
sec.25 Ordinary privileges, protection and immunity allowed
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.
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.
s 25 (prev s 23) amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch
renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
(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.
(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.
(a) in relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a judge—the District Court; or
(b) in relation to the Childrens Court when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices—a Magistrates Court.
(a) a judicial officer presiding over a proceeding; or
(b) a legal practitioner appearing in a proceeding; or
(c) a witness attending in a proceeding;
sec.26
Contempt
sec.26 Contempt
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.
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.
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.
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.
s 26 (prev s 24) amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch ; 2000 No. 46 s 3 sch
renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
amd 2004 No. 43 s 3 sch ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
sec.27
Court officials
sec.27 Court officials
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.
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.
s 27 (prev s 25) amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch
renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
(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.
(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.
sec.28
Court records
sec.28 Court records
The 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.
s 28 (prev s 26) renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
sec.28AA
Access to child protection records by Australian court or tribunal
sec.28AA Access to child protection records by Australian court or tribunal
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.
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 .
s 28AA ins 2024 No. 50 s 13
(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.
(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 .
sec.28A
Access to court records for approved research
sec.28A Access to court records for approved research
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.
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.
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.
In this section—
record means a court record or part of a court record.
s 28A ins 2010 No. 42 s 20
(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.
(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.
(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.
(sec.28A-ssec.4) In this section— record means a court record or part of a court record.
(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
(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.
sec.29
Judicial notice
sec.29 Judicial notice
All courts and persons acting judicially must take judicial notice of the appointment and signature of every person holding office under this Act.
s 29 (prev s 27) renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
sec.30
References to Childrens Court
sec.30 References to Childrens Court
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.
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.
s 30 orig s 30 ins 1995 No. 50 s 3 sch
exp 22 November 1996 (see s 30(3))
prev s 30 ins 1997 No. 38 s 7
exp 1 August 1999 (see s 30(3))
pres s 30 (prev s 28) ins 1992 No. 68 s 3 sch 1
renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
(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.
(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.
sec.30A
Approved forms
sec.30A Approved forms
The president may approve forms for use under this Act.
s 30A ins 2012 No. 17 s 4
sec.31
Regulation-making power
sec.31 Regulation-making power
The Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.
s 31 (prev s 28) renum 1992 No. 68 s 3 sch 1
(prev s 29) sub 1995 No. 57 s 4 sch 1
renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
pt.7
Transitional and validation provisions
Transitional and validation provisions
pt.7-div.1
Transitional provision for Child Protection Act 1999
Transitional provision for Child Protection Act 1999
sec.32
Transitional provision for Child Protection Act 1999
sec.32 Transitional provision for Child Protection Act 1999
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.
The appeal may be dealt with under the Child Protection Act 1999 .
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).
s 32 (prev s 31) ins 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
renum 2002 No. 39 s 139
(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.
(sec.32-ssec.2) The appeal may be dealt with under the Child Protection Act 1999 .
(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).
(a) a person appealed, under part 4A, against a supervision order or care order; and
(b) the appeal has not been finally decided.
pt.7-div.2
Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008
Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008
sec.33
Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008 , pt 3
sec.33 Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008 , pt 3
This section applies if, immediately before the commencement of this section, a person holds office as a Childrens Court magistrate.
The person’s term of appointment is taken to end 5 years after the person was first appointed.
s 33 ins 2008 No. 59 s 8
(sec.33-ssec.1) This section applies if, immediately before the commencement of this section, a person holds office as a Childrens Court magistrate.
(sec.33-ssec.2) The person’s term of appointment is taken to end 5 years after the person was first appointed.
pt.7-div.3
Transitional and validation provisions for Penalties and Sentences and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012
Transitional and validation provisions for Penalties and Sentences and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012
sec.34
Definition for div 3
sec.34 Definition for div 3
In this division—
commencement means the commencement of this section.
s 34 ins 2012 No. 17 s 8
sec.35
Validation provision for Childrens Court Rules
sec.35 Validation provision for Childrens Court Rules
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.
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.
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.
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.
s 35 ins 2012 No. 17 s 8
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(a) are taken not to have expired on 1 September 2008; and
(b) continue in force until they are repealed under this Act.
(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
(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
(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.
sec.36
Transitional provision for approved forms
sec.36 Transitional provision for approved forms
This section applies if, immediately before the commencement, a form was approved for a purpose under the Childrens Court Rules 1997 .
The form is taken to have been approved under section 30A for the purpose.
s 36 ins 2012 No. 17 s 8
(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 .
(sec.36-ssec.2) The form is taken to have been approved under section 30A for the purpose.
pt.7-div.4
Transitional provision for Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014
Transitional provision for Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014
sec.37
Application of provision about open and closed proceedings
sec.37 Application of provision about open and closed proceedings
Part 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—
the commission of the offence;
the start of the proceeding for the offence.
s 37 ins 2014 No. 9 s 32
(a) the commission of the offence;
(b) the start of the proceeding for the offence.
pt.7-div.5
Transitional provision for Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2014
Transitional provision for Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2014
sec.38
Term of office of current Childrens Court magistrates
sec.38 Term of office of current Childrens Court magistrates
This section applies to a person holding an appointment as a Childrens Court magistrate immediately before the commencement of this section.
The person’s appointment continues on the same conditions until the person ceases to hold the office of Childrens Court magistrate under section 15.
Subsection (2) applies despite a term of appointment stated in the person’s instrument of appointment.
Subsection (2) does not affect the power of the Governor in Council under this Act to change the conditions of the appointment.
s 38 ins 2014 No. 28 s 47
(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.
(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.
(sec.38-ssec.3) Subsection (2) applies despite a term of appointment stated in the person’s instrument of appointment.
(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.
pt.7-div.6
Transitional provision for Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024
Transitional provision for Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024
sec.39
Application of s 28AA
sec.39 Application of s 28AA
Section 28AA applies in relation to a child protection record whether the record was or is made before or after the commencement.
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 .
s 39 ins 2024 No. 50 s 14
(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.
(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 .
pt.7-div.7
Transitional provisions for Making Queensland Safer Act 2024
Transitional provisions for Making Queensland Safer Act 2024
sec.40
Definition for division
sec.40 Definition for division
In this division—
new section 20 means section 20 as in force from the commencement.
s 40 ins 2024 No. 54 s 5
sec.41
Application of new s 20
sec.41 Application of new s 20
Subject 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.
s 41 ins 2024 No. 54 s 5
sec.42
Existing exclusion orders
sec.42 Existing exclusion orders
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.
A person who is subject to the exclusion order may apply to the court to have the order set aside.
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.
In this section—
former section 20 means section 20 as in force from time to time before the commencement.
s 42 ins 2024 No. 54 s 5
(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.
(sec.42-ssec.2) A person who is subject to the exclusion order may apply to the court to have the order set aside.
(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.
(sec.42-ssec.4) In this section— former section 20 means section 20 as in force from time to time before the commencement.
(a) was in effect immediately before the commencement; and
(b) applies in relation to a proceeding that has not been decided, discontinued, finalised or withdrawn immediately before the commencement.
pt
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from Queensland Legislation (legislation.qld.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
pt.1 Preliminary
Preliminary
sec.1 Short title
sec.1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Childrens Court Act 1992 .
Section sec.2
s 2 om 28 November 1995 RA s 37
sec.3 Definitions
sec.3 Definitions
In this Act—
appellate court ...
s 3 def appellate court ins 1997 No. 38 s 5
om 1999 No. 10 s 205 sch 3
Childrens Court judge means a District Court judge appointed to the Childrens Court.
Childrens Court magistrate means a magistrate appointed to the Childrens Court.
child’s community ...
s 3 def child’s community ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
community justice group ...
s 3 def community justice group ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
court means the Childrens Court.
first-time offender ...
s 3 def first-time offender ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
interested person ...
s 3 def interested person ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
judge means a Childrens Court judge.
non-youth justice matter ...
s 3 def non-youth justice matter ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
president means the president of the Childrens Court.
procedure includes practice.
relevant person ...
s 3 def relevant person ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
rules means the Childrens Court Rules.
youth justice matter ...
s 3 def youth justice matter ins 2014 No. 9 s 28
om 2016 No. 39 s 3
pt.2 The Childrens Court of Queensland
The Childrens Court of Queensland
sec.4 Childrens Court established etc.
sec.4 Childrens Court established etc.
The Childrens Court of Queensland is established.
The court is a court of record.
The court is to have a seal, which must be judicially noticed.
(sec.4-ssec.1) The Childrens Court of Queensland is established.
(sec.4-ssec.2) The court is a court of record.
(sec.4-ssec.3) The court is to have a seal, which must be judicially noticed.
sec.5 Members and constitution of the Childrens Court
sec.5 Members and constitution of the Childrens Court
The members of the Childrens Court are the judicial officers mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) .
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.
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.
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.
In this section—
available means available having regard to the orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction of the District Court and Childrens Court.
s 5 amd 2002 No. 39 s 137 ; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch
(sec.5-ssec.1) The members of the Childrens Court are the judicial officers mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) .
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
Prescribes custody and controlled access to court records, including specific authorisations for access by Australian courts and tribunals to child protection records (s 28AA), and for approved research subject to chief executive authorisation (s 28A).
Confers ordinary privileges and immunities comparable to concurrent higher or lower courts (s 25) and provides contempt powers consistent with the District Court or Magistrates Court depending on the constitution of the Childrens Court (s 26).
Requires an annual administrative report from the president to the Attorney-General with parliamentary laying obligations (s 24).
Contains transitional and validation provisions dealing with earlier rules, forms, and appointments, including preservation and validation of the Childrens Court Rules 1997 until repealed and treatment of prior forms as approved (ss 35, 36).
The text advances internal procedural governance rather than substantive criminal or child-protection norms. The explicit rationales contained in the Act are limited to procedural aims, notably ensuring the "orderly and expeditious exercise of the jurisdiction" (s 8A). The statutory architecture delegates procedural detail to the Childrens Court Rules (s 7), and where rules do not provide, to directions issued by specified office-holders (s 8), thereby vesting substantial implementation discretion in the court leadership and executive rule-making process.
Testing the stated purpose against implementation mechanics highlights key trade-offs. Delegation to the Governor in Council and to judicial leadership centralises rulemaking and case-level discretion (s 7, s 8, s 8A). That permits procedural adaptability but concentrates decision-making with the president, chief magistrate and the executive, who decide what is "orderly and expeditious" (s 8A). The Act also creates operational frictions and compliance tasks for court administration: custody and controlled disclosure of records (ss 28, 28AA, 28A), management of exclusion orders and authorised attendees in child proceedings (s 20), and coordination where the Childrens Court sits concurrently or across multiple places (s 18). The Act assigns predictable administrative obligations and a public reporting duty to the president (s 24), which creates transparency costs but also establishes a formal accountability channel to the Attorney-General and Parliament (s 24).
Who pays, who decides and what behaviour changes follow directly from the Act’s mechanics. The state funds and appoints judicial officers, sets rules and directions, and receives annual reports (ss 9, 11, 7, 24). Court users, legal practitioners, victims, families and researchers face procedural constraints and access controls when interacting with the court (s 20, ss 28-28A). Private actors who wish to access court records for research must obtain chief executive authorisation and satisfy non-identification and appropriateness tests (s 28A). Media access depends on accreditation and court discretion (s 20). Jury trials for indictable offences are mandatory and must occur at District Court venues, affecting courtroom scheduling and venue logistics (s 22). The Act’s delegated rulemaking and direction powers create both flexibility and uncertainty in procedure implementation, since many practical details will be located in subordinate rules and discretionary directions rather than the primary statute (s 7, s 8).
Main concepts
The Act is organised around institutional and procedural concepts rather than novel substantive offences or penalties. The primary concepts are: establishment of a specialist court, classes of judicial officers and appointment mechanics, procedure-making and direction powers, physical and temporal sitting arrangements, attendance and exclusion rules in child-related proceedings, jury trial rules for indictable offences, record custody and controlled access, and transitional validation of prior rules and forms.
Specialist court and court of record. The Childrens Court is formally established and declared a court of record with a seal that is judicially noticed (s 4). This creates the institutional identity and evidentiary status of the court.
Membership and constitution. The court may be composed of Childrens Court judges (District Court judges appointed to the Childrens Court), Childrens Court magistrates (magistrates appointed to the Childrens Court), ordinary magistrates, and, when no magistrate is available, two justices of the peace (s 5(2)-(3)). Where legislation expressly requires constitution by a Childrens Court judge, a District Court judge may step in if no Childrens Court judge is available, and other District Court judges may substitute where necessary (s 5(2)).
Jurisdictional sourcing. The court’s jurisdiction is whatever is conferred by other Acts, rather than being exhaustively set out in the Act itself (s 6). The text explicitly cross-references the Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 as including provisions about exercise of jurisdiction (s 6(2)).
Rulemaking and case directions. The Governor in Council, with the president’s agreement, makes the Childrens Court Rules to govern procedure (s 7). Where rules are silent, the Act authorises directions: the president may issue general directions, judges and magistrates may issue case-specific directions, and the chief magistrate may issue general directions for court sittings when constituted by magistrates or justices, subject to consultation with the president (s 8).
Leadership functions. The president and chief magistrate carry the function of ensuring the "orderly and expeditious exercise" of the jurisdiction when the court is constituted by respective members (s 8A). The president has additional functions as conferred throughout the Act (s 10).
Appointment mechanics and tenure linkages. Appointments of Childrens Court judges and magistrates are made by the Governor in Council on Attorney-General recommendation, with express linkage to holding the underlying District Court or magistrate office; ceasing to hold the underlying office terminates the Childrens Court appointment (ss 11-16).
Sitting locations, times and separation of proceedings. The court may sit wherever a Magistrates Court or District Court may be held depending on who constitutes it (s 18). Proceedings must not be conducted in a room at the same time as another court’s business (s 19). When constituted by a judge, sittings may be held at any time; when constituted by magistrates or justices, sittings must occur at special times fixed in advance (s 21).
Attendance, exclusion and media. Section 20 defines who may be present in child proceedings, mandating exclusion of non-specified persons and allowing the court to permit presence by students, approved researchers, and persons who will assist the court. The section contains layered exceptions and procedural limits, including a rule that the section does not apply when the court is a judge hearing an indictment (s 20(5)) and special rules where proceedings relate to mental health matters under the Mental Health Act 2016 (s 20(3)).
Jury trials for indictable offences. Indictable offences prosecuted in the Childrens Court are to be tried by a Childrens Court judge and jury, subject to other Acts allowing alternative arrangements, and those trials must occur at places where the District Court may be held (s 22).
Records, disclosure and research access. Custody rules require court records to be kept by the registrar or clerk (s 28). The registrar or clerk may give Australian courts or tribunals access to child protection records relevant to their proceedings (s 28AA). Separate authorisation by the chief executive is required for research access to records, with conditions that preclude identification of individuals and permit refusal based on appropriateness and cost considerations (s 28A).
Privilege, contempt and immunities. Persons appearing or presiding in the Childrens Court have the same privileges, protection and immunity as they would in the court of concurrent jurisdiction (s 25). Contempt powers mirror those of the District Court or Magistrates Court depending on how the Childrens Court is constituted, and the Act applies the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 s 129 and the Justices Act 1886 s 40 as appropriate (s 26).
Transitional and validation provisions. The Act contains multiple transitional clauses validating existing rules, forms and appointments, including a validation that the Childrens Court Rules 1997 did not expire on 1 September 2008 and continue until repealed under the Act (s 35), and treatment of pre-commencement approved forms as approved under s 30A (s 36).
These concepts create an operational design that centralises procedural rule-making, delegates case-level procedural discretion to judicial leadership and individual judicial officers, and confines certain sensitive matters,attendance in child proceedings, record access,to statutory regimes that balance access control with discrete authorised exceptions.
Who it affects
The Act defines the set of institutional actors and private parties it directly governs, and creates procedural effects for other connected actors.
Judicial officers. The Act affects District Court judges nominated as Childrens Court judges (s 11), magistrates appointed as Childrens Court magistrates (s 14), the president (s 9), acting presidents (s 9(5)), acting judges and magistrates (ss 12, 16). Appointment, resignation and termination mechanics govern continuity of roles and powers (ss 9, 11-16). The president and chief magistrate are given leadership functions to ensure orderly and expeditious exercise of jurisdiction (s 8A). Judicial officers are also able to issue directions in relation to cases they preside over (s 8).
Court administration. Registrars, clerks, sheriffs and other court officials of the Magistrates Court and District Court are taken to hold corresponding office for the Childrens Court when the Childrens Court sits at the same place (s 27). Those officials are custodians of court records (s 28) and gatekeepers for record access (ss 28AA, 28A).
Children, parents and families. The Act governs who may be present in proceedings relating to a child (s 20). It mandates exclusion of all persons not specified in s 20(1) and lists permitted persons including the child, a parent or other adult family member, representatives of child safety or youth justice agencies, the public guardian where relevant, and specific representatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (s 20(1), (6)). These rules materially affect family participation, support person attendance for complainants and victims, and the privacy of proceedings.
Victims, witnesses and their representatives. In criminal proceedings, victims and relatives may attend (s 20(1)(c)). The Act permits representatives of victims, persons providing support and members of organisations providing victim assistance to be present (s 20(1)(c)(iii) and examples). Witness support is explicitly recognised where a complainant is a special witness under the Evidence Act 1977 s 103ZZL (s 20(1)(e)). The Act also accommodates intermediaries under the Evidence Act 1977 part 2 division 4C (s 20(1)(d)).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and community groups. The Act provides for attendance by representatives of an organisation whose principal purpose is welfare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and representatives of a community justice group in the child’s community to make submissions relevant to sentencing, when the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person (s 20(1)(k)). The Act defines "child’s community" to include urban, rural, and DOGIT communities under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 or Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 (s 20(6)).
Media. Attendance by media is governed by media accreditation under the Supreme Court’s media accreditation policy, and media may be present only if holding such accreditation and permitted by the court’s exclusion rules (s 20(1)(f)). The Act also notes that s 20 does not apply when the court is constituted by a judge hearing and determining a charge on indictment (s 20(5)(b)), which may affect media access in those proceedings.
Researchers and students. The court may permit presence of persons engaged in professional study relevant to court operation or in research approved by the chief executive (child safety) or chief executive (youth justice) (s 20(2)). Separate record-access for research is possible only with chief executive authorisation and subject to non-identification and appropriateness considerations (s 28A).
Other courts and tribunals. The registrar or clerk may provide Australian courts or tribunals with access to child protection records relevant to a proceeding (s 28AA). That provision directly affects cross-jurisdictional information flows.
Legal practitioners and parties. Legal practitioners appearing in proceedings have the same privileges, protection and immunity as they would in the concurrent jurisdiction (s 25). Parties must follow procedural rules made under the Act and may be subject to exclusion orders dictated by s 20.
Parliament and the Attorney-General. The president must submit an annual report to the Attorney-General and the Attorney-General must cause it to be laid before the Legislative Assembly (s 24). This creates an accountability channel to the executive and legislature.
Indirectly, the Act affects court venue managers and public infrastructure provision because jury trials for indictable offences must be held where District Court sittings can occur, which may affect scheduling, venue allocation and costs for travel and security (s 22). The Act’s authorisation for the Governor in Council to make rules (s 7) assigns the executive a role in shaping procedure, which may affect legal practice patterns as subordinate rules are made and directions issued.
Who pays and who decides. The State through the Governor in Council appoints judges and magistrates and makes the procedural rules (ss 9, 11, 14, 7). The Attorney-General recommends appointments and receives the annual report (ss 9, 24). Court users (children and their families, victims, representatives, legal practitioners) bear compliance and attendance costs and face exclusion constraints (s 20). Researchers and other external actors must obtain authorisation and may bear costs associated with record provision (s 28A).
Key duties and rights
The Act delineates duties and rights primarily in relation to court operation, attendance at proceedings, record custody and access, and reporting. Below are the principal statutory duties and rights, with section references.
Duties conferred on officials and the executive
President duties. The president must ensure the orderly and expeditious exercise of the court’s jurisdiction when constituted by a Childrens Court judge (s 8A(1)). The president also has power to issue directions of general application with respect to court procedure where rules are silent (s 8(2)) and must prepare an annual report on the administration and operation of the court for the Attorney-General (s 24(1)).
Chief magistrate duties. The chief magistrate must ensure the orderly and expeditious exercise of the court’s jurisdiction when constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices (s 8A(2)), and after consulting with the president may issue directions of general application for procedure when the court is constituted by magistrates or justices (s 8(4)).
Judicial officer duties and discretions. A Childrens Court judge, Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices may issue directions in relation to a particular case when the court is constituted by them (s 8(3), (5)). The Act also gives judges and magistrates powers to punish for contempt equating to those of their concurrent jurisdiction (s 26).
Registrar and clerk duties. The records of the court held at a place must be kept in the custody of the registrar or clerk of the court at that place (s 28). The registrar or clerk may give an Australian court or tribunal access to child protection records where relevant (s 28AA) and may provide access under chief executive authorisation (s 28A(3)).
Governor in Council duties. The Governor in Council, with the president’s agreement, may make the Childrens Court Rules to govern procedure (s 7). The Governor in Council appoints the president, Childrens Court judges and Childrens Court magistrates on the Attorney-General’s recommendation (ss 9, 11, 14).
Attorney-General duties. The Attorney-General recommends appointments and receives the annual report from the president and must cause it to be laid before the Legislative Assembly (ss 9(5), 24(1)-(2)).
Duties and constraints on external parties
Exclusion and presence at proceedings. The court must exclude from the room any person who is not one of the specified classes in s 20(1), unless the court permits the person to be present under s 20(2) or other statutory exceptions apply. The classes explicitly permitted include the child, parent or adult family member, victims and relatives in criminal proceedings (with examples for representatives), witnesses, intermediaries under the Evidence Act 1977, the public guardian, representatives of chief executives, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, specified community representatives (s 20(1), (6)).
Media attendance. Media may be present only if holding accreditation under the Supreme Court’s media accreditation policy, subject to the court’s exclusion regime (s 20(1)(f), (6)).
Research access conditions. The chief executive may authorise access by a person to a court record for research, but only if satisfied that the record will not be used or published in a manner likely to identify individuals and that authorising access would not be inappropriate given the circumstances including cost to the department (s 28A(1)-(2)). The registrar or clerk may provide records under such authorisation (s 28A(3)).
Cross-court disclosure. The registrar or clerk may give an Australian court or tribunal access to child protection records relevant to a proceeding before the Australian court or tribunal (s 28AA(1)). That is a limited duty of disclosure where relevance is established.
Rights conferred
Right to exclude. The Act confers the court the right and duty to exclude non-specified persons from the room (s 20(1)). That right is the dominant privacy and control mechanism for child proceedings.
Right to appear and privileges. Persons who are judicial officers, legal practitioners appearing, or witnesses have the same privileges, protection and immunity as they would have in the court of concurrent jurisdiction (s 25).
Right to jury trial for indictable offences. A defendant child charged with an indictable offence prosecuted in the Childrens Court is entitled to a trial by a Childrens Court judge and a jury, subject to other Acts that may permit alternative arrangements (s 22(1)-(2)).
Right to access records for judicial or tribunal processes. An Australian court or tribunal may obtain access to child protection records relevant to its proceeding from the registrar or clerk (s 28AA(1)).
Right to apply to set aside existing exclusion orders. Transitional provisions provide that persons subject to exclusion orders made under former s 20 may apply to have those orders set aside and the court must set aside the order if satisfied the applicant is a person now entitled to attend under the new s 20(1)(c) (s 42).
Procedural implications of duties and rights
Rulemaking and directions shape parties’ obligations. Parties must follow the Childrens Court Rules and any directions issued by the president or presiding judicial officer (s 7, s 8). Where the rules are silent, directions become the operative procedure, which may require parties and practitioners to monitor both subordinate instruments and case-specific directions.
Custodial control over records with conditional access. Custody of records with controlled disclosure (ss 28, 28AA, 28A) creates duties on registrars and chief executives and rights for authorised courts, tribunals and researchers subject to statutory tests.
Reporting and public transparency. The president must produce an annual report to the Attorney-General and the Legislative Assembly, imposing a duty to collect and disclose administrative data annually (s 24).
These duties and rights define the operational relationships among judicial officers, court administration, litigants, victims, family members, researchers and other courts. The Act leaves a significant portion of day-to-day procedural specification to subordinate rules and directions, thereby making compliance dependent on both the statutory text and the evolving rights and duties embodied in the Childrens Court Rules and the directions of the president and chief magistrate (s 7, s 8).
Penalties and enforcement
This Act does not create a standalone schema of criminal penalties or administrative fines within its text. Enforcement and penalty-related provisions are handled through powers and cross-applications of other statutes and through the courts’ inherent powers as preserved by the Act. Key enforcement mechanisms and penalty-related provisions in the Act are:
Contempt powers. The Act expressly confers contempt powers aligned with the concurrent jurisdiction. A judge of the Childrens Court has the same power to punish for contempt as the judge has to punish contempt of the District Court, and the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 s 129 applies to the Childrens Court when constituted by a judge in the same manner as for the District Court (s 26(1)-(2)). When constituted by a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices, those officers have the same power to punish for contempt as they have for contempt of a Magistrates Court, and the Justices Act 1886 s 40 applies in that context (s 26(3)-(4)).
Privileges, protection and immunity. The Act confers the same privileges, protections and immunities on judicial officers, legal practitioners and witnesses in the Childrens Court as they would have in the court of concurrent jurisdiction (s 25). These protections function as legal defences and process protections rather than penalties, but they affect the scope of enforcement against these actors.
Exclusion orders and attendance control. Section 20 imposes a statutory obligation on the court to exclude persons from the room unless they fall within listed categories or the court permits their presence. This is an enforceable procedural power of the court during hearings. The Act permits the court to order exclusion under related statutes such as the Evidence Act 1977 s 21A, which allows exclusion orders or special witness arrangements (s 20(4)). Non-compliance with an exclusion order would fall within contempt or court conduct regulation at the sitting.
Custody and disclosure obligations. Registrars and clerks are custodian officers for court records (s 28) and are given authorised discretion to disclose records to other Australian courts and tribunals (s 28AA) and to researchers under chief executive authorisation (s 28A). Wrongful disclosure might engage administrative or disciplinary processes for officials and legal accountability under general record-keeping and confidentiality laws, though the Act itself does not specify sanctions for unauthorised disclosure.
Rule and direction compliance. Parties and officials are subject to the Childrens Court Rules and to directions issued by the president, judges and the chief magistrate under s 8. Breach of rules or directions will engage the court’s power to control proceedings, including sanctions available under concurrent jurisdiction and contempt powers.
Reporting obligations and parliamentary oversight. The president must produce an annual report to the Attorney-General who must lay it before Parliament (s 24). Failure to provide the report within the statutory time frame could create administrative accountability issues and political consequences, though the Act does not specify a penalty.
Transitional rights and remedies. The Act provides a transitional remedy for persons subject to existing exclusion orders made under former s 20, allowing them to apply to have orders set aside and imposing a mandatory requirement on the court to set them aside if the applicant falls within the redefined class in the new s 20(1)(c) (s 42). This creates a statutory right of application and a mandatory remedy rather than a penalty.
Enforcement therefore operates chiefly through existing court powers, contempt regimes of the District Court or Magistrates Court, rules, directions and custodial duties. The Act’s enforcement architecture relies on cross-application of powers in other statutes (District Court of Queensland Act 1967 s 129, Justices Act 1886 s 40, Evidence Act 1977 s 21A) and on internal procedural mechanisms. The Act does not create new fines, imprisonment provisions or administrative penalties directly within its text.
Implementation risks and compliance challenges tied to enforcement include the need for court officials to coordinate correctly which contempt power and which external statute applies depending on the constitution of the court (s 26), and the potential for contested rulings about who falls within attendance categories in s 20, which can lead to interlocutory applications and potential contempt friction. The reliance on rules and directions (s 7, s 8) to detail process can produce uncertainty for parties until those instruments and directions are made and published.
How it interacts with other laws
The Act is explicitly designed to operate alongside a number of existing statutes and subordinate instruments. It delegates jurisdictional content to other Acts and cross-applies procedural and enforcement provisions. The interactions are principally procedural and jurisdictional rather than substantive.
Statutory cross-references and applications
Jurisdictional sourcing. The Childrens Court’s substantive jurisdiction is defined by other Acts rather than this Act; s 6 states that the court has the jurisdiction conferred on it by any Act and specifically notes that the Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 includes provisions about exercise of jurisdiction under this Act (s 6(1)-(2)). Practitioners must therefore read the Childrens Court Act in conjunction with other statutes that confer jurisdiction, for example child protection and youth justice legislation.
Evidence and witness supports. Section 20 cross-references the Evidence Act 1977 in relation to intermediaries (part 2 division 4C) and special witness support (s 103ZZL). It also notes that s 20 does not affect orders the court may make under Evidence Act s 21A (exclusion of persons and special witness arrangements) (s 20(4)). Consequently, the Evidence Act’s special witness provisions and exclusion powers apply within the Childrens Court context.
Contempt powers and enforcement. The Act applies the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 s 129 in relation to contempt when the Childrens Court is constituted by a judge, and applies the Justices Act 1886 s 40 when constituted by magistrates or justices (s 26). Practitioners must consult those statutes for the mechanics and potential penalties for contempt.
Jury and venue rules. The Jury Act 1995 governs juror service, selection, arrangements and remuneration for jury trials required by s 22. Section 22 further overrides s 18(1)(a) regarding venue and obliges trials by judge and jury to be held where a District Court may be held. Thus, jury trials in child indictable matters invoke the Jury Act’s provisions and venue rules for the District Court.
Magistrates Act 1991. The Act treats duties performed by magistrates as including those performed as Childrens Court magistrates for the purpose of the Magistrates Act 1991 (s 14(3)). This ensures that magistrates’ statutory duties and disciplinary frameworks extend to their Childrens Court duties.
Public Guardian and child safety agencies. Section 20 names the public guardian under the Public Guardian Act 2014 and chief executive (child safety) and chief executive (youth justice), linking attendance and representation rules to those external statutes and administrative offices (s 20(1)(h), (i), (j)). Users must consider the governance and statutory duties in those Acts when assessing representation and attendance rights.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legislative frameworks. Definitions of "child’s community" and "community justice group" in s 20(6) reference the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984, the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 and the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991, integrating community justice groups and DOGIT land contexts into attendance and sentencing participation rules.
Statutory instruments and rules. The Childrens Court Rules are made under this Act by the Governor in Council with the president’s agreement (s 7). Section 35 validates the Childrens Court Rules 1997 against expiry under the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 s 54, taking the 1997 Rules to have remained in force and authorising actions taken under them to stand. Transitional provisions (ss 35-36) create continuity between previous rules and forms and the current statutory framework.
Operational interactions and practical consequences
Delegated rulemaking and judicial directions. The Act’s architecture deliberately places procedural details into the Childrens Court Rules (s 7) and into directions (s 8). The interaction between statutory delegation, executive rulemaking and judicial discretion creates a layered procedural regime. Parties must track both the Rules and the president’s or chief magistrate’s directions.
Records disclosure and confidentiality frameworks. The Act permits disclosure of child protection records to Australian courts and tribunals (s 28AA) and allows research access only with chief executive authorisation subject to non-identification and appropriateness tests (s 28A). These provisions interact with confidentiality obligations in child protection and privacy legislation and with administrative arrangements of relevant departments.
Transitional and saving provisions. The Act contains multiple transitional provisions designed to validate old instruments and preserve continuity (s 35 validating Rules 1997, s 36 treating previously approved forms as approved under s 30A, s 32 addressing appeals under earlier child protection legislation). Practitioners must consider these transitions in light of procedural histories.
Overlap with indictable trial procedure. For indictable matters, s 22 makes the trial by judge and jury the statutory norm in the Childrens Court and directs that such trials take place in District Court venues. That interacts with prosecutorial discretion, indictment practice, and procedural rules of higher courts.
Limits on attendance when dealing with mental health matters. Section 20(3) specifically requires exclusion of persons mentioned in s 20(1)(c) unless the court is satisfied that their presence is in the interests of justice when the court is hearing matters under the Mental Health Act 2016 ss 172 or 173. Practitioners must therefore apply mental health statute criteria alongside s 20.
In short, the Act operates as an institutional and procedural hub that references and meshes with multiple other statutes. The proper functioning of the Childrens Court depends on practitioners and officials navigating the intersections between this Act, the Evidence Act 1977, the Jury Act 1995, the District Court and Magistrates Court Acts, the Magistrates Act 1991, child protection and youth justice Acts, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legislative frameworks. The Act itself delegates material detail to rules and directions, which in turn must align with and implement the requirements and cross-references contained here.
Amendment history
The Act as presented contains notes about numerous amendments, insertions and repeals across several years. The text includes inline amendment annotations recording when provisions were added, modified or repealed. Below is a synthesis of the amendment trail as reflected in the provided statutory text.
Early structure and renumbering. Several sections carry annotations indicating renumbering and prior versions. For example, s 24 is noted as formerly s 22 and was renumbered in 2002 (renum 2002 No. 39 s 139) and subsequently amended (s 24 prev s 22 amd 2003 No. 8 s 17 sch; 2002 No. 39 s 141) indicating structural reorganisation of the Act.
Amendments reflecting operational detail and functions. Section 5 (Members and constitution) carries amendments noted as s 5 amd 2002 No. 39 s 137; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch indicating the statutory text has been adjusted to clarify availability and substitution rules for judges and magistrates. The text includes explanatory examples illustrating substitutions by District Court judges where a Childrens Court judge is unavailable; those examples appear tied to amendment insertions.
Additions for magistrates and appointment details. Sections about Childrens Court magistrates (s 14) and termination or acting appointments (ss 15-16) carry amendment notes: s 14 amended 2000 No. 58 s 2 sch; 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch; s 15 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch; s 16 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch. These annotations show the Act was refined for magistrates’ appointment and termination mechanics over the 2000s.
Leadership provisions inserted. The leadership function in s 8A is noted as inserted in 2014 No. 28 s 43, which post-dates earlier versions and establishes the explicit functions of the president and chief magistrate to ensure order and expedition in jurisdiction.
Jury and indictable trial provisions. Section 22, which requires jury trials for indictable offences in the Childrens Court, is annotated as inserted in 2002 No. 39 s 140. That amendment imposes a procedural norm for indictable matters and cross-references the Jury Act 1995.
Child protection and research access. Newer insertions concern record access. Section 28A (Access to court records for approved research) was inserted in 2010 No. 42 s 20, establishing chief executive authorisation for research access. Section 28AA (Access to child protection records by Australian court or tribunal) is a 2024 insertion (s 28AA ins 2024 No. 50 s 13), and s 39 confirms its application to records made before or after commencement (s 39 ins 2024 No. 50 s 14). Those insertions mark an expanded cross-jurisdictional disclosure pathway for child protection records.
Transitional provisions validating prior instruments. Section 35 validates the Childrens Court Rules 1997 against expiry and ensures continuity until repealed under this Act (s 35 ins 2012 No. 17 s 8). Section 36 treats pre-existing approved forms as approved under s 30A (s 36 ins 2012 No. 17 s 8). These transitional insertions indicate administrative continuity and a legislative correction to intended regulatory lapse.
2014 Youth Justice reforms. Several elements, including definitions and attendance provisions, bear the note "ins 2014 No. 9 s 28" for multiple definitions and for sec 20 indicated as "pres s 20 ins 2016 No. 39 s 5" and various amendment notes up to 2024, reflecting several stages where youth justice and child protection considerations were legislatively updated. Section 37 applies Part 4 Division 2 to proceedings even if the offence commission or proceeding start predates the amendment (s 37 ins 2014 No. 9 s 32), showing transitional scope for procedural changes.
2008 and 2012 transitional insertions. Section 33 establishes transitional treatment of term of appointment for Childrens Court magistrates in 2008 No. 59 s 8, and s 35 was inserted in 2012 No. 17 s 8 to validate rules. These reflect staggered reforms and administrative catch-up measures.
2024 amendments and Making Queensland Safer Act. The text contains explicit 2024 annotations: s 20 shows "amd 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 )" and transitional sections s 40-42 (ins 2024 No. 54 s 5) relating to new s 20. These indicate significant recent legislative changes to attendance and exclusion regimes in child proceedings, with transitional provisions creating mandatory setting aside of existing exclusion orders for persons who fit within the new categories (s 42). The insertion of s 28AA in 2024 No. 50 s 13 and s 39 tying application to records made before and after commencement are further 2024 changes.
Minor insertions and repeals. The text records multiple other small insertions and deletions across the years (e.g., s 21 and its series s 21A-21F), renumberings (renum 2002 No. 39 s 139), and amendments noted with the year and statute number. Those annotations supply a lineage of incremental reforms rather than wholesale repeal and replacement.
Taken together, the amendment history as reflected in the statute shows iterative refinement across two decades plus, focusing on procedural clarity for composition and sittings, enhanced governance roles for court leadership (president and chief magistrate), jury trial logistics, record-access permissions, and transitional validation of legacy instruments. The 2014 and 2024 amendments particularly indicate policy activity around youth justice and child protection procedural frameworks and record-sharing mechanisms.
Litigation history
The legislative text supplied contains no judgments, reported cases or litigation history. It does, however, create several statutory features that are likely to be the subject of litigation or interlocutory applications, based on the provisions and the kinds of rights they allocate. The Act itself does not name cases or judicial decisions. The following outlines the litigation-prone points rooted directly in the statutory text.
Attendance and exclusion disputes (s 20). Section 20 establishes a framework for excluding persons from the room in proceedings relating to children, with many specified exceptions and discretionary permissions. Litigation may arise from contested exclusion orders, whether interlocutory applications to permit or restrain attendance, or appeals from orders excluding media, family members, or support persons. The transitional provision s 42 creates a statutory right to apply to set aside past exclusion orders. The Act requires the court to set aside such orders if the applicant is a person mentioned in new s 20(1)(c), which could produce applications and judicial rulings on the interpretation of who qualifies under the new categories and on the appropriate exercise of the court’s discretion.
Contempt and conduct in court (s 26). Contempt powers are applied by cross-reference to external statutes. Disputes may occur where litigants challenge the assignment of contempt powers, argue about procedural fairness in punishment for contempt, or contest the applicability of District Court vs Magistrates Court contempt provisions depending on the constitution of the Childrens Court in a particular siting (s 26).
Record access disputes (ss 28, 28AA, 28A). The Act authorises disclosure of child protection records to Australian courts and tribunals where relevant (s 28AA) and authorises the chief executive to permit research access subject to non-identification and appropriateness constraints (s 28A). Disputes may arise over what is "relevant" to an external proceeding, the threshold for chief executive authorisation, what constitutes reasonable assurance against identification, and how cost and appropriateness are weighed. The registrar’s exercise of discretion in providing records could be challenged administratively or by judicial review, noting the statutory gateway is permissive ("may give").
Rule and direction challenges (ss 7, 8). The Act delegates significant procedural power to the Governor in Council to make rules (s 7) and to presidents, judges and magistrates to issue directions when rules are silent (s 8). Litigation could test the limits of those powers, for example whether a direction was lawful, whether the Governor in Council exceeded its power in making rules without the president’s agreement, or whether a direction has been applied in a manner that contravenes natural justice.
Venue and jury trials (s 22). Section 22 requires that indictable offences prosecuted in the Childrens Court be tried by a judge and jury and that such trials be held at places where the District Court may be held. Disputes could arise over whether a particular offence is indictable for the purposes of the Childrens Court, or whether an Act displaces the default jury requirement. There may also be procedural litigation about the proper venue, particularly if venue constraints affect the ability to empanel a jury or where resource or logistical constraints create disputes about the court's power to sit in multiple places (s 18).
Appointment and tenure disputes (ss 11-16). The Act ties Childrens Court appointments to District Court or magistrate office. Litigation could involve challenges to appointment processes, the exercise of the Governor in Council’s discretion, or disputes about whether a resignation or removal from the underlying office terminates Childrens Court status (s 13, s 15), although the Act itself provides the statutory mechanics.
Transitional and validation applications (ss 32, 35-36). The validation provisions that save rules and forms from expiry, and transitional provisions that convert pending appeals or continuation of appointments, could prompt litigation about whether specific acts or rights were validly preserved under the transition.
Because the Act itself does not record precedent, anyone seeking authoritative answers must consult reported decisions applying this statute in Queensland courts. The Act’s many delegations and cross-references mean litigants will need to combine statutory interpretation of the Childrens Court Act with interpretative rules and precedents under other statutes such as the Evidence Act 1977, the Jury Act 1995, the Child Protection Act 1999, the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 and the Justices Act 1886.
In summary, while there is no litigation history contained in the provided text, the statutory architecture establishes clear fault lines where litigation or judicial review is likely, principally around exclusion and attendance orders, record access and disclosure, the scope of delegated rule and direction powers, contempt, venue and jury issues, and appointment or tenure questions. Those are the discrete legal points that practitioners should expect to see litigated or argued in practice under this legislative framework.
Gotchas
The Act contains specific provisions and delegation choices that can create unexpected operational consequences if not carefully managed. The following are concrete "gotchas" drawn from the statutory text, with references to the relevant sections.
Constitution can be by justices of the peace in limited circumstances (s 5(3)(c)). If no Childrens Court magistrate or other magistrate is available, the court may be constituted by two justices of the peace, subject to limitations under the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations Act 1991 or another Act (s 5(3), (4)). Practitioners may assume only magistrates or judges sit, but the Act permits lower-level officers where necessary. This affects what procedures and powers are available, and may influence parties’ expectations about the formality and remedies available.
Terminology and missing definitions in the provided extract. The definitions list at s 3 includes many entries with omitted text (e.g., "appellate court ...", "first-time offender ...", "relevant person ..."). Those absent definitions in the supplied text may be in the original statute but are not in the extract. Practitioners should verify the full definitions in the consolidated Act, because many procedural rights and thresholds hinge on statutory definitions.
Substantial delegation of procedure to rules and directions (ss 7, 8). The Act delegates procedural detail to the Childrens Court Rules and to directions issued by the president or presiding officer where the rules are silent. Until rules and directions are published and accessible, parties may face uncertainty about court practice. Compliance therefore requires close monitoring of current Rules and any directions from the president or chief magistrate.
Different regimes depending on who constitutes the court (s 18, s 21, s 26). Many powers and rules change depending on whether the court is constituted by a judge, a Childrens Court magistrate, a magistrate or justices. For example, venue rules differ (s 18), sitting times differ (s 21), and contempt powers differ by reference to District Court versus Magistrates Court statutes (s 26). The practical effect is that identical procedural complaints may be handled under different statutory frameworks depending on constitution at the sitting.
Exclusion list is detailed but not exhaustive and includes discretionary permissions (s 20). Section 20 mandates exclusion by default, lists many classes that may be admitted, and allows the court to permit additional persons (s 20(2)). However practitioners must flag the Mental Health Act exception where the court must exclude victims unless satisfied otherwise (s 20(3)). Also, s 20(5) exempts the court when constituted by a judge hearing and determining a charge on indictment, potentially changing media and public access in those cases (s 20(5)(b)).
Jury trials must be held at District Court venues (s 22(3)). Even though the Childrens Court may sit at places where Magistrates Courts may be held (s 18(1)(b)), s 22 requires jury trials to be held where District Courts may be held, a logistical constraint that may produce venue transfers and scheduling complexity.
Research access is conditional and discretionary (s 28A). The chief executive’s authorisation is required for research access to records and is subject to two affirmative satisfaction conditions: that the record will not be used or published in a way likely to identify individuals, and that authorising access would not be inappropriate including due to cost to the department (s 28A(2)). The "may" in s 28A(1) and the subjective satisfaction standard mean approvals are discretionary and may be denied even for academically legitimate projects.
Cross-jurisdictional disclosure is permissive rather than mandatory (s 28AA). The registrar or clerk "may give" Australian courts or tribunals access to child protection records relevant to their proceedings (s 28AA(1)). Because the provision is permissive, registrars may refuse disclosure in certain circumstances, potentially creating delays for external courts seeking relevant material.
Appointments tied to holding other office (ss 11, 13, 14, 15). Childrens Court judges and magistrates cease to hold their Childrens Court offices if they cease to be District Court judges or magistrates respectively (ss 13(1), 15(1)). That linkage can cause unexpected termination of Childrens Court tenure if the underlying office changes.
Transitional validation operates in favour of continuity but may obscure historical obligations (ss 35-36). Section 35 takes the 1997 Rules to have continued in force despite statutory expiry, and treats prior decisions, directions and forms as valid. That fixes potential gaps but requires practitioners to consider the historical procedural basis of earlier orders and forms. Reliance on earlier practice without checking the validated status may still be risky.
Annual reporting timetable is tight (s 24). The president must supply the annual report as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year but no later than five months after year end, and the Attorney-General must lay the report within 14 days of receipt (s 24(1)-(2)). Failure to meet these timeframes may generate administrative friction and political scrutiny.
Multiple cross-references to other Acts require concurrent statute checks. For example, the Evidence Act 1977, Jury Act 1995, District Court of Queensland Act 1967 and Justices Act 1886 are directly applied. Practitioners must be cautious to check these statutes when advising on contempt, evidence, jury selection, and venue.
These "gotchas" arise from the mix of delegation, conditional permissions, cross-jurisdictional references and the dependency of Childrens Court roles on other judicial appointments. They point to operational risks: uncertainty while waiting for subordinate instruments, venue logistics for jury trials, conditional and discretionary record access, and potential constitutional or procedural challenges depending on who constitutes the court.
How to comply
Compliance under the Act requires coordinated actions by judicial officers, court administrators, legal practitioners, agencies representing children, researchers and media. Below are concrete steps, mapped to the statutory provisions, that parties should take to align with the Act’s requirements.
For court leadership and administrative officers
Publish and maintain Childrens Court Rules and directions. Ensure the Childrens Court Rules are current and accessible as they govern procedure (s 7). Where rules are silent, issue clear, published directions under s 8. The president should issue general directions for the court (s 8(2)), and the chief magistrate, after consulting with the president, should issue directions concerning sittings constituted by magistrates or justices (s 8(4)). Maintain a central repository for rules and directions so practitioners can determine operative procedure.
Custody and record-keeping. Ensure registrars and clerks maintain custody of court records at each place in accordance with s 28. Establish robust record management and chain-of-custody protocols to ensure that any disclosure requests are processed lawfully and promptly.
Record access protocols. Implement procedures for (a) responding to requests by Australian courts and tribunals for child protection records under s 28AA, ensuring relevance is assessed; and (b) processing research access applications under s 28A, applying the chief executive’s satisfaction criteria,non-identification and appropriateness including cost considerations. Provide templates and forms for authorisation, and track decisions.
Attendance control. Train court staff and judicial officers on s 20’s attendance regime. Prepare checklists to verify whether persons seeking entry are within s 20(1) classes, hold media accreditation, or require permissions under s 20(2). Ensure courtroom staff are able to enforce exclusion orders and to process applications to vary attendance. For mental health-related matters under the Mental Health Act 2016 sections 172 or 173, ensure the court applies the stricter exclusion rule in s 20(3).
Reporting and transparency. Prepare the president’s annual report within the five-month statutory deadline after financial year end and coordinate with the Attorney-General’s office for timely parliamentary laying (s 24).
For judicial officers and legal practitioners
Monitor constitution and jurisdictional implications. Before each hearing confirm how the court will be constituted (judge, Childrens Court magistrate, magistrate or justices) since it affects venue, contempt powers and applicable concurrent court statutes (ss 5, 18, 21, 26). For indictable offences, expect trial by judge and jury at a District Court venue unless another Act prescribes otherwise (s 22).
Follow Childrens Court Rules and directions. Comply with the Childrens Court Rules and any case-specific directions issued under s 8. Where rules are silent, anticipate that judges or magistrates may issue case-directed procedures and prepare to respond or apply for directions as needed.
Prepare for attendance rulings. If seeking presence for clients, victims, family members, community representatives or media, file any necessary applications well before hearing dates, supporting the court’s assessment against the categories in s 20. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, coordinate with community justice groups and welfare organisations to secure appropriate representation and submissions relevant to sentencing as permitted under s 20(1)(k).
Manage jury and venue logistics. For indictable charges involving children, plan for trial logistics at District Court venues and ensure compliance with the Jury Act 1995 requirements regarding juror service, selection and arrangements (s 22).
Respect privileges and immunities. When acting in the Childrens Court, rely on the privileges, protection and immunity conferred by s 25, but be aware that these are coextensive with concurrent jurisdiction protections. Ensure pleadings and conduct respect those protections.
For agencies and researchers
Chief executive authorisations for research. Researchers seeking access to court records must apply to the chief executive (as defined in s 28A) and demonstrate that the data will not be used or published in a way likely to identify individuals and that authorisation would not be inappropriate or unduly costly (s 28A(2)). Prepare de-identification protocols and cost-recovery plans as part of the application bundle.
Cross-jurisdictional record requests. Courts or tribunals seeking child protection records from the Childrens Court should make formal applications demonstrating the records’ relevance to their proceedings to the registrar or clerk under s 28AA(1). Anticipate that provision is permissive and that administrative coordination will be necessary.
For media and accredited observers
Secure media accreditation and anticipate exclusion rules. Media wishing to attend should obtain accreditation under the Supreme Court’s media accreditation policy and be prepared to show accreditation. Understand that s 20 imposes default exclusion and the court may nonetheless refuse or limit attendance.
For litigants affected by existing exclusion orders
Apply to set aside outdated orders when appropriate. Transitional s 42 allows persons subject to existing exclusion orders under former s 20 to apply to have the order set aside, and the court must set aside the order if the applicant is a person mentioned in new s 20(1)(c). If subject to an exclusion order, file the application promptly and support it with evidence that the applicant fits the statutory category.
For appointment authorities
Follow appointment and tenure requirements. The Governor in Council should follow the Act’s appointment mechanics, acting on Attorney-General recommendations for president, Childrens Court judges and magistrates (ss 9, 11, 14). Be aware that Childrens Court appointments are contingent on holding the underlying District Court or magistrate office and that resignation or cessation of the underlying office terminates the Childrens Court appointment (ss 13, 15).
Operational best practice across actors
Maintain contemporaneous records of directions, authorisations and attendance lists to support compliance and to defend decisions in judicial review or appeal.
Publish procedural FAQs and updated practice notes in a centralised location to reduce uncertainty while the Childrens Court Rules and directions evolve.
Coordinate across departments (child safety, youth justice, public guardian) to ensure authorised representatives are available and that cross-agency information sharing aligns with s 28AA and s 28A authorisations.
Engage early with the registrar when seeking disclosures or access to records to allow time for the discretionary assessments the Act requires.
Compliance under this Act is largely procedural. Effective compliance requires attention to the Childrens Court Rules and directions, careful handling of attendance and privacy issues in child-related proceedings, disciplined record-keeping and a proactive approach to authorisations for research or cross-court disclosures.
(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.
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.
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.
(a) a Childrens Court magistrate; or
(b) if a Childrens Court magistrate is not available—any magistrate; or
(c) if neither a Childrens Court magistrate nor other magistrate is available—2 justices of the peace.
sec.6 Jurisdiction
sec.6 Jurisdiction
The Childrens Court has the jurisdiction conferred on it by any Act.
The Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 includes provisions about the exercise of jurisdiction under this Act.
s 6 amd 2003 No. 57 s 39 (1) sch 2
(sec.6-ssec.1) The Childrens Court has the jurisdiction conferred on it by any Act.
(sec.6-ssec.2) The Child Protection (International Measures) Act 2003 includes provisions about the exercise of jurisdiction under this Act.
sec.7 Rules of court
sec.7 Rules of court
The procedure of the Childrens Court is governed by the Childrens Court Rules.
The Governor in Council may, with the president’s agreement, make rules of court (the Childrens Court Rules ) under this Act.
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.
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.
s 7 amd 1995 No. 57 s 4 sch 1
(sec.7-ssec.1) The procedure of the Childrens Court is governed by the Childrens Court Rules.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(a) that is required or permitted to be prescribed under a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court; or
(b) that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to a law giving jurisdiction to the Childrens Court.
sec.8 Directions
sec.8 Directions
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.
The president may issue directions of general application with respect to the procedure of the court.
A Childrens Court judge may issue directions in relation to a particular case before the court when constituted by the judge.
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.
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.
s 8 amd 2008 No. 59 s 5 sch ; 2014 No. 28 s 42
(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.
(sec.8-ssec.2) The president may issue directions of general application with respect to the procedure of the court.
(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.
(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.
(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.
sec.8A Leadership of the court
sec.8A Leadership of the court
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.
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.
s 8A ins 2014 No. 28 s 43
(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.
(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.
pt.3 Appointment of judicial officers
Appointment of judicial officers
pt.3-div.1 The president
The president
sec.9 Childrens Court president
sec.9 Childrens Court president
There is to be a president of the court.
The Governor in Council may appoint a Childrens Court judge to be the president of the court.
The president may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.
The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the president as a Childrens Court judge.
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.
(sec.9-ssec.1) There is to be a president of the court.
(sec.9-ssec.2) The Governor in Council may appoint a Childrens Court judge to be the president of the court.
(sec.9-ssec.3) The president may resign office by written resignation given to the Governor.
(sec.9-ssec.4) The resignation does not affect the appointment or powers of the president as a Childrens Court judge.
(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.
(a) the office of president is vacant; or
(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;
sec.10 Functions of president
sec.10 Functions of president
The president has the function given by section 8A (1) and the other functions conferred on the president by this Act or any other Act.
s 10 sub 2014 No. 28 s 44
pt.3-div.2 Childrens Court judges
Childrens Court judges
sec.11 Childrens Court judge
sec.11 Childrens Court judge
The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, appoint 1 or more District Court judges as Childrens Court judges.
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 rel
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