Under the Aegis: Debunking Myths About Judges and Helping Children Share Their Voice
In our latest video, TIGALA Guardians ad Litem Claire Quinn and Val Kerr help children understand court proceedings focussed on their wellbeing, and underline the importance of expressing their wishes in care decisions.
When children imagine judges, it’s often through the lens of TV characters like Judge Judy – somebody who's known to be stern, dramatic, and quick to deliver a verdict with a quip. However, as TIGALA Director Claire Quinn and Guardian ad Litem Val Kerr explain, the reality of Irish family courts is entirely different, especially when it comes to making decisions about children’s care.
“The judges that we go to aren’t like Judge Judy,” Val explains. Instead, these judges are experts in children’s cases, focused on creating a calm environment where everyone has the opportunity to speak. Claire explains that "they work really, really hard to make the best decisions for your care.”
Gathering Information
For children in care, understanding the role of a judge can alleviate some of the fear or uncertainty about court proceedings. Judges often ask Guardians ad Litem questions to gather important details about the child’s life – school, health, and family visits – ensuring they have all the information they might need to make well-informed decisions.
The important thing is that you’re expressing your wishes and your feelings about what you want to happen.
As Claire highlights, “Sometimes the judge asks us questions about you, just to make sure he or she has all the information to make really, really good decisions for you.”
Helping Children Express Their Wishes
A key concern for children is whether their wishes and feelings will be heard—and if so, who will hear them. Guardians ad Litem play a crucial role in ensuring that children’s voices are presented clearly and sensitively in court. Importantly, they also communicate these wishes to parents in a way that fosters understanding.
Val reassures children: “The important thing is that you’re expressing your wishes and your feelings about what you want to happen. Your Guardian and your social worker will explain in great detail to your parents why you’re feeling that way.”
This delicate but balanced manner of communication helps parents process and understand their child’s perspective, reducing potential misunderstandings and creating a path toward more constructive discussions. With TIGALA's Practice Principles guiding each of our Guardians' work, we actively promote open communication and collaboration between all involved parties.
Ultimately, this ensures that any child appointed to one of our GALs is well supported throughout the entire process, and that their best interests remain at the centre of everything we do.
