Help and Assistance
The Tribunal understands that being involved in Tribunal proceedings (or any legal proceedings) can sometimes be confusing or make people feel nervous.
The Tribunal has made documents and guides to help people understand the processes of the Tribunal and details of where they can get advice and assistance.
On this page you will find information about:
Commonly asked questions and answers
What happens at the Tribunal once I lodge an application/appeal?
Who can I bring to Tribunal hearings and can someone represent me?
What happens in a hearing and what do I need to do to prepare for a hearing?
Interpreters and how to ask for them
Trauma Informed Service Delivery
Easy Read Documents
Here are some Easy Read documents which contain information about Guardianship and Administration matters and Mental Health Applications
What is an Administration Order?
What does TASCAT Guardianship Stream do?
How we make decisions about mental health care.
Separate Representatives
The technology that the Tribunal uses in its hearing rooms
The Tribunal premises has audio visual systems that allow parties, witnesses and representatives to attend hearings by telephone or video conference.
Each Stream will notify parties of whether they need to attend in person or whether they may attend by telephone or video conference.
The following is general information to assist you with using the technology systems at the Tribunal premises.
- If the Tribunal contacts you for a telephone conference, from one of its hearing rooms, the call will usually appear as a Sydney (NSW) telephone number. There will also generally be an automated voice advising you have joined the conference.
- Please ensure that you are in a location that is quiet to avoid background noise disturbing the proceedings.
- To participate in a video conference with the Tribunal you will need a stable internet connection; a computer desktop/laptop with a webcam and microphone; and the computer should have a web browser or Microsoft Teams app installed.
- Some Tribunals may require you to test your connection with the hearing rooms before the hearing. They will advise you if that is needed.
- Please note if you are attending remotely by telephone or video conference, the location from where you connect is deemed ‘court premises’ under the Court Security Act 2017. It means any directions issued to you by the Tribunal apply as if you were present at the Tribunal premises.
- Please note that the microphones in the Tribunal hearing rooms are very sensitive and broadcast to speakers in the ceiling of the rooms and the hearing loop systems even if the recording system is not operating. If you wish to have private conversations you are advised to do so outside the hearing room.
- The Tribunal hearing rooms have been equipped with infra-red hearing loops. Please ask reception if you require assistance.
Please note: you are not permitted to record any proceedings of the Tribunal while participating in a telephone or video conference.
Fees and how to seek reductions or waiver of fees
Where you can you find help and advice from other organisations
There are information sheets and practice directions that are available at each of the Streams on the Tribunal website. Those documents will help explain the processes and requirements of proceedings in those Streams.
Please contact the Tribunal staff if you have any questions. Please note that the Tribunal staff can only give procedural advice, they can’t give you legal advice about your case. Procedural advice can include helping explain processes of the Tribunal, or which form you might need to use. The Tribunal staff can’t advise you how to conduct your case or give opinions about the case.