Section 42: How Family Court Cases for Children Work in Uganda
42.Procedure in family and children court
(1)The procedure of the family and children court in all matters shall be in accordance with rules of court made by the Rules Committee for the purpose, but subject to the following—
(a)the court shall sit as often as necessary;
(b)proceedings shall be held in camera;
(c)proceedings shall be as informal as possible and by inquiry rather than by exposing the child to adversarial procedures;
(d)parents or guardians of the child shall be present whenever possible;
(e)the child shall have a right to legal representation; and
(f)the right to appeal shall be explained to the child.
(2)Apart from members and officers of the court, only the following persons may at the discretion of the court attend any sitting of a family and children court—
(a)parties to the case before the court, their advocates, witnesses and other persons directly concerned in the case;
(b)parents or guardians of the child before the court;
(c)a probation and social welfare officer; and
(d)any other person whom the court authorises to be present.
Plain English Summary
A child involved in a family and children court case has the right to a private hearing, meaning the public cannot attend. The court must sit as often...
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