Meet Kayla Haasnoot, Independent Children’s Lawyer
What do you, as an Independent Children’s Lawyer, do?
We review all of the information filed by the parties, consider what further evidence the court needs, meet with the children, and present an unbiased view to the Court for consideration.
Why is this role important?
I like to say, “there is Mum’s perspective, Dad’s perspective, and then there is the what really happened”. A big part of our job is to find out the ‘real truth’ about what has occurred. I also like to say “we don’t act for mum, we don’t act for dad, we act of the kids”. We hear from the children what is important to them and why, and balance that against the risk concerns.
Why have you chosen to be an ICL?
Children need protecting. Full stop.
Can you give an example from your own personal experience of the impact ICLs can have?
I have been involved in many matters representing a parent where the parent has been wanting to give up the fight because the process is so hard and draining, and then the ICL has come on board and shown them that they are not alone in the fight for their kids. I have been involved in matters as an ICL where the evidence from either parent didn’t give all the information, and it was my gathering of evidence and meeting with the children which brought the real issues to light.
What are the biggest challenges you think currently face ICLs in Australia?
There is a lack of ICLs – Legal Aid NSW cutting funding to ICLs in the very near future (by no later than 31 December 2026) is driving the limited ICLs away. I have had a number of ICLs tell me that they are not accepting any new matters.
ICLs are significantly underfunded – we are expected to review all of the material filed by all parties, appear at every court appearance, issue countless subpoenas (in some cases 40 +), review all of the subpoena material (often well over 5,000 pages worth), consider all of that material, meet with the children, and then make a recommendation to the Court on what should occur.
An ICL will at times, arrive at the final hearing either (a) weighing up multiple options to recommend, or (b) having a recommendation in mind. They will then sit and hear the evidence, cross examine the witnesses, and then realise that how the witness presented ‘on paper’ is vastly different to real life. At these times, an ICL may change their position and their stance. If Legal Aid NSW proceeds to cut funding for ICLs to not attend final hearings, it runs this risk of a recommendation being made to the court that is then wildly inappropriate after cross examination occurs.
Last Updated on 02/06/2026
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