S.L. 16.20 Art. 6Duties of support persons appointed as Court experts. Duties of support persons acting as therapists.

(1) The duties of the support persons acting as Court experts shall include:

(a) conducting an assessment of the therapeutic needs of the parties, including minors, and reporting to the Court in accordance with the terms of the appointment;

(b) providing advice to the Court regarding the need for intervention, therapy or special measures both during and after judicial proceedings, applicable to minors, parents, the parties or other individuals as the case may require;

(c) maintaining contact with the parties to the proceedings, family members, the Children’s Advocate, legal guardians and other persons as deemed necessary;

(d) advising on, or making a request to the Court for the issuance of protection orders as the case may be:

Provided that:

(a) the role of the support person appointed as a court expert shall terminate upon the submission of the report, unless the Court orders otherwise;

(b) the support person acting as a court expert shall submit the report within four (4) months from the date of nomination and such period may be extended by the Court for a further two (2) months upon valid grounds:

*Not yet in force. *Not yet in force. Provided further that where a person fails to meet and cooperate with a support person acting as a Court expert, such support person shall inform the Court accordingly, and the Court shall have the authority to take such measures as it deems appropriate, including ordering that person to bear any expenses incurred.

7.* (1) Where a report by a support person acting as a court expert indicates the need for therapeutic interventions for minors, the parties, or third parties as appropriate, the Court may appoint a support person as a therapist in accordance with regulation 5 to provide support throughout the duration of the proceedings.

(2) The role of the support person acting as a therapist shall be to:

(a) offer therapeutic support to the parties, minors, and other relevant persons during judicial proceedings as directed by the Court;

(b) guide and assist minors, the parties, and third parties, as the case may be, on a therapeutic basis, during judicial proceedings, as the need arises.

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