Communication Partners are officers of the court who make impartial recommendations to courts and the Mental Impairment Review Tribunal about how communication and meaningful participation can be facilitated with accused and supervised persons with mental impairment.
Communication Partners are experienced allied health professionals, including speech pathology, social work, occupational therapy and psychology, who have undergone rigorous training to become accredited.
Communication Partners are appointed by a court including the Magistrates Court, Children’s Court, District Court or Supreme Court; or by the Mental Impairment Review Tribunal. A court or the Tribunal may appoint a Communication Partner on its own initiative; or on an application by:
- an accused or supervised person,
- an accused or supervised person’s legal representative,
- the Director of Public Prosecutions, and/or
- the WA Police Prosecution.
Contact
Email: CPProgram@justice.wa.gov.au
Phone: 0458 263 567
Publication
Communication Partners Procedural Guidance Manual (PDF, 2.05MB).
The Manual has been developed in conjunction with stakeholders and has been informed by established intermediary practices in other Australian jurisdictions.
Section 21 of the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023 provides information relating to Communication Partners.
Regulation 4 of the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Regulations 2024 provides additional information relating to Communication Partners.
