Under the Aegis: Demystifying The Courtroom for Children

What are courtrooms really like? TIGALA Guardians demystify the experience for children, dispelling TV myths and highlighting how Irish courts ensure privacy, respect, and a child-focused approach to care decisions.

When children hear about court, they might imagine dramatic scenes from TV shows, complete with wigs, capes, bustling juries, and cries for order as gavel meets block. But as TIGALA Guardians ad Litem Claire Quinn and Val Kerr explain, the reality of a children's courtroom in Ireland is in fact much calmer and focused entirely on the child’s care and well-being.

For children in care, understanding what court is like can help ease any worries they may have about the process.

The courts you see on TV are actually very different to the court the Guardian ad Litem, your parents, and social workers go to.

As Claire and Val explain, “The courts you see on TV are actually very different to the court the Guardian ad Litem, your parents, and social workers go to. They’re normally special courts with a special judge who just is involved in making decisions about children and their care.”

Anatomy of a Courtroom

Unlike the grand courtrooms seen on TV, these special courts are more modest and designed to focus on children's cases. Some of the courtrooms "are quite old, but some are more modern,” they share. The judge, who is seated slightly higher than everyone else, oversees the proceedings in ordinary clothes – no wigs or dramatic costumes here.

The courtroom is a private space, with only those directly involved in the case present, such as the Guardian ad Litem, the child’s parents, their solicitors, and social workers. The judge ensures everyone takes turns to speak, creating a respectful and organised environment.

A Child-Focused Approach

One of the key aspects of these courts is their child-focused nature. The private setting ensures the child’s information remains confidential, and every discussion centres on making the best decisions for their care. In these special courts, it's “all to do with you [the child], and all to make sure that your care is absolutely the best care that we can give you,” Claire and Val explain.

A notable feature of the courtroom is the witness box, a small area near the judge where individuals go to share their perspective. This structured yet informal approach ensures that the child’s voice is heard while maintaining an ordered, safe and supportive environment.

Demystifying To Help Children

For children, knowing that their Guardian ad Litem is there to advocate for them can make the process less intimidating. By demystifying the courtroom experience, and other elements of a Guardian ad Litem's role in court proceedings, TIGALA Guardians help children feel more comfortable and confident about the steps being taken to ensure their well-being.

This approach aligns with TIGALA’s commitment to empowering children and ensuring their voices are heard in every decision made about their care.