You can have a lawyer to help you in court if you are a child. This happens when the court is dealing with something about you. The court can choose a lawyer for you if you are part of the court case or if the case is about you. You get a lawyer if the court thinks it is necessary or a good idea. The court makes this decision to help you in the case. This is how the court makes sure you have someone to speak for you.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on 26 November 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM41840.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Courts and legal helpFamily and relationships > Children and parenting

161: Intervention, or

"The court can ask for help from the Attorney-General in a case."

162A: Appointment of lawyer to assist court, or

"The court can choose a lawyer to help make fair decisions."

Part 9Procedure

162Appointment of lawyer to represent child in proceedings

In any proceedings under this Act (other than criminal proceedings), a court may appoint a lawyer to represent any child who is—
the subject of the proceedings; or
a party to the proceedings.

An appointment under subsection (1) may be made only if the court is satisfied that the appointment is necessary or desirable.

Notes

Section 162: replaced, on 31 March 2014, by section 8 of the Family Proceedings Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 80).