News 2025

Extension of Practice Note 19: Support Plan Conference Pilot

May 2025: The President of the Children's Court has reissued Practice Note 19: Support Plan Conference Pilot (PDF, 212.4 KB), which reflects the extension of the pilot program from 2 May 2025 until 31 October 2025. 

Practice Note 19 applies to all new s 61 applications made under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) filed at Surry Hills Children's Court between 2 May 2024 and 31 October 2025..

Practice Note 19 makes provision for the conduct of an early Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference (the 'Support Plan Conference) by a Children's Registrar.

Youth Koori Court 10 Year Anniversary 

February 2025: On February 7, the NSW Youth Koori Court celebrated 10 years of transforming young lives at a special ceremony in Parramatta, on Dharug land.

With the assistance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and respected community members, the Youth Koori Court identifies factors that may affect the young person’s involvement with the criminal justice system such as homelessness, disengagement from education, drug and alcohol issues or other health problems.

The Court works closely with each young person to develop an action and support plan, strengthening their connections to culture and community while supporting them in making positive life changes. Independent evaluations have shown this approach leads to reduced incarceration rates without increasing re-offending.

Established at the Parramatta Childrens Court in 2015 to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the justice system, the Court has since expanded to Surry Hills and Dubbo.

It was a celebration of the young people whose lives have been positively transformed through this approach. It was a celebration of the more than 150 young people who have been supported in the last 10 years. While the event was attended by a stellar cast, including, Attorney General Michael Daley, Children’s Court President Judge Ellen Skinner, and Youth Koori Court Magistrate Sue Duncombe, Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice, Michael Tidball and Chief Justice Andrew Bell, the real VIPS were the Elders and Youth Koori Court graduates.

A decade on, the Youth Koori Court continues to make a profound impact by asking young Aboriginal people what they need to succeed and striving to provide that support to the young people and their families.

Children's Court Circuit Changes

January 2025: The Children's Court Lisitng and Sitting Arrangements document has been updated the reflect the planned 2025 changes to the New England Circuit. Please find the document under the General Court Listings page.