Meet Kristine Medson, Independent Children's Lawyer
What do you, as an Independent Children’s Lawyer, do?
As an independent children’s lawyer, my role is to focus entirely on the child in what are often very adult disputes. I’m not there to “take sides” between parents, and I don’t act on a child’s instructions in the traditional sense. Instead, I step back and look at the bigger picture — what is actually in this child’s best interests?
In practice, that means spending a lot of time working through the evidence, speaking with the professionals involved in the child’s life, and, where appropriate, meeting with the child themselves. I try to understand not just what is being said in the proceedings, but what life is really like for that child. In that way, my role is more inquisitive, rather than adversarial. My role is to make sure the Court has a clear, child-focused view of the matter, and to advocate for outcomes that support the child’s safety, stability and wellbeing.
Why is this role important?
In my experience, children can very easily get lost in the conflict between adults. Family law proceedings can become highly adversarial, and the focus can shift to what each parent wants, rather than what the child actually needs. Having someone whose sole focus is the child helps bring things back to where they should be.
It ensures that the Court hears about the child’s experiences and needs in a meaningful way, not just through the lens of each parent’s position. I think it’s also important because it provides a level of independence. The Court can be assisted by someone who is not aligned with either party, and who is able to take a balanced, objective view of what outcome will best support the child in the long-term.
Why have you chosen to be an ICL?
I chose to become an Independent Children’s Lawyer for two reasons — I have a very strong sense of social justice, and being an ICL enables me to always fight “the good fight”. It also enables me to practice parenting law at a very high level — ensuring evidence is gathered properly and matters are prepared to the best of my ability.
What are the biggest challenges you think currently face ICLs in Australia?
One of the biggest challenges I see is the increasing complexity of the matters we deal with. It’s very common to be working in cases involving allegations of family violence, trauma, mental health issues, and entrenched conflict. These are not straightforward situations, and they require careful and thoughtful handling.
Resourcing is also a real issue. There are often delays in getting expert reports or accessing services, and that can mean children remain in uncertain or difficult situations for longer than they should. Another challenge is finding the right way to bring a child’s voice into the process.
It’s important that children feel heard, but it has to be done in a way that is safe and appropriate for them. Balancing that with the need to remain independent and not place pressure on the child is something I think all ICLs are very conscious of.
Overall, ICLs give a lot of time to their work that is never compensated. They spend a lot of time considering the issues and understanding the needs of their child clients, and they do it due to their dedication to the job, not because they are adequately paid for the work they do.
Last Updated on 13/05/2026