Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005)Chapter 4 : Children’s CourtsPart 3 : Pre-hearing conferences, family group conferences, other lay-forums and settling matters out of court71. Other lay-forums |
| (1) | The children's court may, where circumstances permit, refer a matter brought or referred to a children’s court to any appropriate lay-forum, including a traditional authority, in an attempt to settle the matter by way of mediation out of court. |
| (2) | Lay-forums may not be held in the event of a matter involving the alleged abuse or sexual abuse of a child. |
| (3) | The children’s court may— |
| (a) | prescribe the manner in which a record is kept of any agreement or settlement reached between the parties and any fact emerging from such conference which ought to be brought to the notice of the court; and |
| (b) | consider a report on the proceedings before the lay-forum to the court when the matter is heard. |