Who is a party?

Under the Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008, a party is:

• the child;
• any individual who has parental responsibility in respect of the child;
• any person who appears to be a person who ordinarily (and other than by reason only of his employment) has care of the child; and
• where a community parenting order is in force in respect of the child, the Committee for Health and Social Care.

What rights do parties have?

If you are a party then you are entitled to:

• be notified that the convenor has received a referral about your child;
• know what decision the convenor makes about your child;
• attend any hearings of the Child, Youth and Community Tribunal (CYCT) and to receive a copy of the hearing papers;
• bring a supporter with you to the hearing;
• dispute the information in the Convenor’s Statement;
• appeal the decision of the hearing; and
• request a review hearing after 3 months.

Can I attend a hearing if I am not a party?

• The Convenor may invite you to attend the hearing of the CYCT if you have information that might help the CYCT members make their decision.
• You may attend a hearing as the supporter of a party.