Every Ordinary magistrate’s court also acts as a Children’s Court and has jurisdiction on any matter arising from the application of the Children’s Act (No 38 of 2005).

The Children’s Court can decide on cases that involve—

• The protection and well-being of a child
• The care of, or contact with, a child
• Paternity of a child
• Support of a child
• The provision of:
  • early childhood development services
  • prevention or early intervention services
• Maltreatment, abuse, neglect, degradation or exploitation of a child
• The temporary safe care of a child
• Alternative care of a child
• The adoption of a child, including an inter-country adoption
• A child and youth care centre, a partial care facility or a shelter or drop-in centre

Any other matter relating to the care, protection or well-being of a child provided for in the Children’s Act. (See: Summary of the Children’s Act)