Western Australian Current Acts

RESTRAINING ORDERS ACT 1997 - SECT 35

35 .         Matters to be considered by court generally

        (1)         When considering whether to make an MRO for reasons referred to in section 34(a)(i) or (ii) and the terms of the order a court is to have regard to —

            (a)         the need to ensure that —

                  (i)         the person seeking to be protected is protected from intimidatory or offensive behaviour; and

                  (ii)         property owned by, or in the possession of, the person seeking to be protected is protected from damage;

                and

            (b)         the wellbeing of children who are likely to be affected by the respondent’s behaviour or the operation of the proposed order; and

            (c)         the accommodation needs of the respondent and the person seeking to be protected; and

            (d)         hardship that may be caused to the respondent if the order is made; and

        [(e)         deleted]

            (f)         other current legal proceedings involving the respondent or the person seeking to be protected; and

            (g)         any criminal convictions of the respondent; and

            (h)         any previous similar behaviour of the respondent whether in relation to the person seeking to be protected or otherwise; and

                  (i)         other matters the court considers relevant.

        (2)         When considering whether to make an MRO for reasons referred to in section 34(a)(iii) and the terms of the order a court is to have regard to —

            (a)         the need to ensure that the public is protected from breaches of the peace; and

            (b)         the wellbeing of children who are likely to be affected by the respondent’s behaviour or the operation of the proposed order; and

            (c)         the accommodation needs of the respondent; and

            (d)         hardship that may be caused to the respondent if the order is made; and

        [(e)         deleted]

            (f)         any criminal convictions of the respondent; and

            (g)         other current legal proceedings involving the respondent; and

            (h)         other matters the court considers relevant.

        (2A)         When considering whether to make an MRO for reasons referred to in section 34(a)(iv) and the terms of the order, a court is to have regard to —

            (a)         the need to ensure that the following persons are protected from the effects of an offence under The Criminal Code section 70A(2A) —

                  (i)         a person engaged in animal source food production, as defined in The Criminal Code section 70A(1);

                  (ii)         a family member, as defined in The Criminal Code section 70A(1), of a person referred to in subparagraph (i);

                and

            (b)         the wellbeing of children who are likely to be affected by the respondent’s behaviour or the operation of the proposed order; and

            (c)         the accommodation needs of the respondent; and

            (d)         hardship that may be caused to the respondent if the order is made; and

            (e)         any criminal convictions of the respondent; and

            (f)         other current legal proceedings involving the respondent; and

            (g)         other matters the court considers relevant.

        (3)         A court is to have regard to the matters set out in subsections (1)(a) and (b), (2)(a) and (b) and (2A)(a) and (b) as being of primary importance.

        [Section 35 amended: No. 38 of 2004 s. 19, 54, 55, 56 and 57(5); No. 49 of 2016 s. 41; No. 5 of 2023 s. 14.]