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A party requiring assistance to appear before NTCAT (including wheelchair access or hearing loop) should contact the tribunal as early as possible.

In the case of interpreters parties should generally make their own arrangements.

The Northern Territory Interpreter and Translating Service can be contacted on (08) 8999 8506, and the Aboriginal Interpreter Service can be contacted on 1800 334 944, to assist you in organising an interpreter.

Support Person

Generally, you are welcome to bring a support person, such as a friend or family member, to sit with you in a proceeding that is open to the public.

Your support person should not be a witness to, or otherwise be associated with the proceeding, or have any personal interest in the outcome. 

NTCAT considers that the role of a support person is to provide emotional and practical support during the proceeding. If you want the support person to act as your advocate/representative at a hearing you will need to make an application for NTCAT’s permission for that to occur. The application can be made by filing a Form 3 - Ordinary Application prior to the hearing or seeking leave from the presiding Tribunal Member on the day of the hearing.

If the presiding Tribunal Member considers that the presence of any person (including a support person) at a hearing is disruptive, raises a conflict of interest or a health and safety concern they may ask them to leave.

In the case of closed proceedings, such as compulsory conferences and guardianship matters, you will need to seek leave for your support person to attend the proceeding by way of filing a Form 3 - Ordinary Application prior to the proceeding or seeking leave from the presiding Tribunal Member on the day of the proceeding.  If leave is granted, the support person must ensure that they maintain the confidentiality of the proceeding.