Section 60CD — Family Law Act 1975: How the views of a child are expressed

(1) Paragraph 60CC(2)(b) requires the court to consider any views expressed by a child in deciding whether to make a particular parenting order in relation to the child. This section deals with how the court informs itself of views expressed by a child. (2) The court may inform itself of views expressed by a child: (a) by having regard to anything contained in a report given to the court under subsection 62G(2); or (b) by making an order under section 68L for the child’s interests in the proceedings to be independently represented by a lawyer; or (c) subject to the applicable Rules of Court, by such other means as the court thinks appropriate. Note 1: Paragraph (a)—subsection 62G(3A) generally requires the person giving the report to ascertain the child’s views and include those views in the report. Note 2: Paragraph (b)—paragraph 68LA(5)(b) requires the independent children’s lawyer for the child to ensure that the child’s views are fully put before the court.