Section 159 — Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989: Appointment of barrister or solicitor to represent child or young person

159 Appointment of barrister or solicitor to represent child or young person (1) Where a child or young person who is the subject of any proceedings under Part 2 or Part 3A of this Act is not represented by a barrister or solicitor, the Court shall appoint a barrister or solicitor to represent that child or young person in those proceedings and, if the Court thinks desirable, for such other purposes (including any other proceedings under this Act or any other enactment) as the Court may specify. (2) Where the Court appoints a barrister or solicitor under subsection (1) of this section, it shall, so far as practicable, appoint a barrister or solicitor who is, by reason of personality, cultural background, training, and experience, suitably qualified to represent the child or young person. (3) Notwithstanding that the proceedings in respect of which any barrister or solicitor was appointed under subsection (1) of this section have been disposed of or that the appointment is no longer required for any other purpose specified by the Court pursuant to that subsection, the Court may, if the Court is satisfied that it is necessary or desirable in the interests of the child or young person to do so,— (a) Extend that barrister's or solicitor's appointment; or (b) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, appoint any other barrister or solicitor to represent the child or young person— for such purpose as the Court may specify. Compare: 1974 No 72 s 29(3); 1977 No 126 s 8; 1980 No 94 s 162(1) , (2) Subsection (1) was amended, as from 1 November 1999, by section 6 Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Trans-Tasman Transfer of Protection Orders and Proceedings) Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 116) by inserting “ or Part 3A ” .