The child’s representative is a family lawyer who can be appointed to represent a child in certain family cases. More specifically this is in cases of child custody when the child is over 10 years old but sometimes when the child is only 7.
The purpose of this is that the wishes and best interests of the child are represented before the court. For instance, children may have preferences as to shared or exclusive custody with either of their parents.
The court hears the request of one of the parents to appoint a child’s representative. The other parent may then accept or challenge the appointment or choice of a given representative. In case the parents disagree, the Judge decides. The Judge shall base the decision on various criteria such as: the children’s age and their capacity to express themselves. These decisions are always made in the best interest of the children.
The child’s representatives are often paid by legal aid.