What are the different types of representation by lawyers for children and young people?
There are two main types of legal representation for children and young people: Direct representation What is it? This is where a lawyer receives and acts on instructions from the child or young person and they owe the same duty of confidentiality that they would to an adult. A direct representative generally becomes involved when they have been directly asked for help by you (like at court through the duty lawyer). You need to be of an age and level of maturity that would allow you to form sound and reasoned judgments and understand the consequences of your decisions to provide instructions. Where do you find it? Mainly in criminal law (where you are charged with a criminal offence). But it does also happen in child protection law (where the Department of Child Safety is concerned about your safety and wellbeing) and family law (where your parents are trying to decide how to take care of you when they have broken up). Best interests representation What is it? This is where a lawyer mu
