News 2021

New Children's Court President Appointed 22 November 2021

November 2021: On Monday 22 November 2021, Children’s Magistrate Ellen Skinner was sworn in as a Judge of the District Court and as the President of the Children’s Court of NSW.

Judge Skinner has been appointed to serve a 5 year term as President of the Children’s  Court and replaces Judge Peter Johnstone as the third President of the Children's Court.

For further information see the Media Release issued by the Attorney General Mark Speakman SC on 17 November 2021. 

Bail Guidelines

October 2021: The Children’s Court of NSW has published a set of Bail Guidelines which highlight the considerations that are relevant to making a bail decision for a child consistent with the risk assessment required to be made under the Bail Act 2013 (NSW).    

The Children’s Court of NSW Bail Guidelines are available here on our website. 

Judge Johnstone reappointed as Children's Court President

July 2021: Judge Peter Johnstone's term as President of the Children's Court of NSW has been extended for a further three years. 

Since his appointment as President in 2012, Judge Johnstone has been concerned to promote and expand community services and resources to assist disadvantaged families and children at risk, across all of NSW, in particular in respect of mental health issues, family violence, drug and alcohol dependence, and homelessness. 

His Honour is also keenly involved in addressing youth issues relating to children such as the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children and young people in the youth justice and care and protection systems.   He has also advocated for prevention, early intervention, diversion and rehabilitation of children and young persons involved in the justice system, including the use of detention only as a last resort, increased use of the Young Offenders Act 1997, reducing the incidence of short-term remand, and greater attention to children not attending school.

Judge Johnstone's new term as President of the Children's Court began on 8 July 2021 and expires on 7 July 2024. 

Children's Law News

July 2021: CLN 2021 Volume 1 has now been published and includes a number of cases and papers which are of relevance to the Children's Court jurisdiction.

January 2021: CLN  2020 Volume 2 has now been published and includes a number of cases and papers which are of relevance to the Children's Court jurisdiction.

New Practice Note 14: Standardised Care Orders

April 2021: In February 2020, the President of the Children’s Court approved a set of standardised orders to be used in care proceedings.  The orders have been drafted in plain English with the aim of improving their readability and consistency.  Standardised orders will also facilitate the timely issue of orders and the electronic transmission of orders in the future. 

The President of the Children’s Court has now issued a new Practice note 14 – Standardised Care Orders making use of the standardised care orders mandatory.  Practice Note 14 will commence on Monday 3 May 2021 to allow legal practitioners time to transition to the new standardised care orders. 

To assist legal practitioners draft orders that comply with the Court’s standardised orders scheme, an electronic template has been developed and a webinar will be held for legal practitioners on Tuesday 20 April 2021 between 1:15pm – 2pm to provide more information about the standard orders and the template. 

To register for the webinar please email Jaspreet Singh-Bains at Jaspreet.singh-bains@justice.nsw.gov.au.