Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No. 75 of 2008)RegulationsRegulations relating to Child JusticeChapter 8 : Trial in Child Justice Court37. Duty of presiding officer before plea in child justice court |
(1)
| (a) | A presiding officer must inform the child of and explain to the child, the matters referred to in section 63(3) of the Act— |
| (i) | in the language of the child's choice or through an interpreter; |
| (ii) | in plain language, using simple vocabulary and avoiding technical words; and |
| (iii) | in a manner appropriate to the age, maturity, stage of development of the child and the special needs of the child. |
| (b) | A presiding officer, when acting in terms of section 63(3) of the Act, must— |
| (i) | treat the child with care; |
| (ii) | set the child and the parent, appropriate person or guardian at ease; |
| (iii) | give enough detail about the matters; |
| (iv) | allow sufficient time so that the child can absorb the information; |
| (v) | encourage and allow the child to ask questions; and |
| (vi) | elicit responses from the child by asking questions in order to ensure that the child understands the information. |