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Home > Resources and Information > For Service Providers and Observers

For Service Providers and Observers

Observers at Hearings

All Tribunal hearings are closed to the public but an observer may attend if:

  1. the President gives approval for the person's attendance AND
  2. the patient has given consent to their attendance.

It is Tribunal policy that observers must have a legitimate educative purpose to attend the hearing. It provides for observers who have specific learning objectives that are consistent with the purpose and principles of the Mental Health Act 2000. An observer must show that they will practically apply the knowledge gained within 3 months of observing a hearing.

Allowing an observer to attend a hearing is a two stage process. The President considers the observer's application to observe prior to the day of hearings. If the President gives approval for the observer to attend, the patient's consent will be sought on the day of the hearing by the presiding member of the Tribunal. This gives the patient the opportunity of seeing the observer before they decide whether or not to give their consent for the observer's attendance.

Medical students who will apply the knowledge gained within 3 months may obtain the President’s approval to observe. However, any medical student who wishes to observe a Tribunal hearing should apply to observe. Any application to observe should reach the Tribunal 10 working days prior to the day they wish to observe a Tribunal hearing's.

For more information please refer to the Observers at Hearings brochure.

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    ‘Great outcomes. It is nice to know our people are in culturally appropriate and people-friendly settings.’
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    ‘Indigenous mental health workers are being heard. Thank you.’
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    ‘I have been trying to keep stable and well in the community for about a year and it was refreshing to hear praise from the Tribunal about how well I have been doing during this time’
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    'Thank you for the great care in the decision made on my behalf'
  • Did You Know?
    The Tribunal is continuing its effort to make hearings more accessible to Indigenous patients by holding hearings in culturally-suitable venues and involving Indigenous Tribunal members whenever possible.