Adoption Act 1955

22 Attendance at hearings

• (1) The following persons may attend a hearing of an application under this Act:

  • (a) officers of the Court:

  • (b) parties to the proceedings:

  • (c) lawyers representing parties to the proceedings:

  • (d) a social worker who furnished a report under section 10:

  • (e) accredited news media reporters:

  • (f) persons whom the Judge permits to be present as support persons for a party on the request of that party:

  • (g) any other persons whom the Judge permits to be present.

  (2) No other person may attend a hearing of an application under this Act.

  (3) The Judge must agree to a request under subsection (1)(f) unless the Judge considers there is a good reason why the named support persons should not be permitted to be present.

  (4) No support persons may help an applicant conduct his or her case.

  (5) If, during a hearing, the Judge requests a person of any of the following kinds to leave the courtroom, the person must do so:

  • (a) an accredited news media reporter:

  • (b) a support person whom the Judge permitted to be present under subsection (1)(f).

  (6) Nothing in this section limits any other power of the Court—

  • (a) to hear proceedings in private; or

  • (b) to permit a McKenzie friend to be present; or

  • (c) to exclude any person from the Court.

  Section 22: substituted, on 18 May 2009, by section 4 of the Adoption Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 73).