Navigating Subpoenas and the Art of Note-Taking

When a support worker’s notes are requested by a court, it can feel like a breach of trust and a significant safety risk for the women we support. In some cases, subpoenas are even "weaponised" by perpetrators to try to gain access to sensitive information like refuge locations or counselling disclosures. How can we protect our clients while fulfilling our legal obligations?

Join Ashleigh Lawrence, Community Engagement Lawyer at NQ Women’s Legal Service, for our next Ask Nola webinar on Friday 17th April. We will dive deep into the legalities of subpoenas and the critical importance of trauma-informed record-keeping.

What we will cover:

·     The Basics: What a subpoena is and the serious consequences of non-compliance.

·     The Risks: How subpoenaed notes can impact a survivor’s safety, credibility, and parenting case.

·     Objections: How and when to challenge a subpoena based on relevance, scope, or abuse of process.

·     The "Protected Confidences" Regime: An overview of the new 2025 legal protections for sensitive therapeutic records.

·     Note-Taking Masterclass: Practical tips for managing informed consent, client safety and when it is acceptable (or not) to take notes during legal appointments

Who should attend:

·     Support workers and social workers assisting survivors of domestic, family, or sexual violence.

·     Service providers who maintain client files, intake forms or safety plans.

·     Legal practitioners interested in holistic, trauma-informed legal practice