In many cases, the Office acts as a conflict guardian of the child. As a result, the child is a full participant. The court, therefore, appoints the child's representative, a guardian.

The child's guardian before the court is often appointed by the municipality (in practice, the local social-legal protection of children, OSPOD), our Office, or attorneys.

The courts appoint our Office if the case is related to a foreign country or a cross-border issue.

What is the task of the guardian?

• To represent the child procedurally (to file motions, appeals, to comment on the actions of the parents),
• present the wishes and views of the child,
• defend the child's interest in the proceedings (not necessarily the same as the parents' interests).

How does our Office work as a guardian?

We try to:

• Work with both parents and seek their views (face-to-face meetings, online interviews),
• cooperate with the child (where appropriate and possible),
• to find out about the child's situation at home (if necessary, utilizing a 'home inquiry'),
• explaining the possible effects of a judgment in another country where the child will, for example, be commuting regularly.