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Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005)

Chapter 4 : Children’s Courts

Part 3 : Pre-hearing conferences, family group conferences, other lay-forums and settling matters out of court

71. Other lay-forums

 

(1) The children's court may, where circumstances permit, refer a matter brought or referred to a children’s court to any appropriate lay-forum, including a traditional authority, in an attempt to settle the matter by way of mediation out of court.

 

(2) Lay-forums may not be held in the event of a matter involving the alleged abuse or sexual abuse of a child.

 

(3) The children’s court may—
(a) prescribe the manner in which a record is kept of any agreement or settlement reached between the parties and any fact emerging from such conference which ought to be brought to the notice of the court; and
(b) consider a report on the proceedings before the lay-forum to the court when the matter is heard.