Meet Amelia Higgs, Independent Children’s Lawyer
What do you, as an Independent Children’s Lawyer, do?
I amplify the voices of children and young people in disputes about their care, and I independently and impartially gather information from the important people in children’s lives to help their parents and the Court to determine what’s in their best interests.
Why is this role important?
Children and young people are vulnerable and can’t always advocate for themselves. The impact of separation, trauma, and parental conflict can have life-long impacts on them. Parents often struggle to separate their own difficult or traumatic experiences from their children’s needs and perspectives. The role of the ICL ensures that the best and most impartial information is available for the Court to determine these challenging disputes and keeps the voice of the child present and central throughout the proceedings.
Why have you chosen to be an ICL?
ICL work is extremely challenging but deeply rewarding. I firmly believe in protecting and championing young people, and it’s a privilege to use my skills and experience for their benefit.
Can you give an example from your own personal experience of the impact ICLs can have?
As well as being an advocate for children in the court setting, ICLs also play an important role in facilitating negotiations between the parents. In my experience, the most positive outcomes are those where, as the ICL, I have been able to help parents to overcome their disputes and agree on arrangements for their children rather than having decisions imposed by a judge.
In one particular case, as a result of independent information which I was able to gather, the parents’ concerns about alleged risks were put to rest and they were able to agree on a reunification plan for their three daughters to build up to having equal shared care. Seeing the smiles on the faces of those three little girls when I told them that their mum and dad had agreed to these arrangements was a career highlight.
What are the biggest challenges you think currently face ICLs in Australia?
Ongoing reductions in the funding available to ICLs, coupled with increasingly challenging and complex disputes between parents.
Last Updated on 13/05/2026