In a child protection proceeding involving two children, the applicant society and the respondent father sought the appointment of independent legal counsel for the children.
The respondent mother opposed the appointment, arguing it would increase the children's stress and draw them further into the high-conflict litigation.
The court held that the children, aged 12 and 14, had a right to be heard and that independent counsel would provide an objective evaluation of their interests.
The court ordered the Office of the Children's Lawyer to provide separate representation for each child.
