Section 18 in High Court of Andhra Pradesh Family Courts (Court) Rules, 2005
18. Role of the Counsellor.
- The counsellor appointed to counsel the parties shall fix time and date of appointment. The parties shall be bound to attend the counsellor on the date and at the time so fixed.If either of the parties fails to attend the counsellor on the date and time so fixed, the counsellor may fix another date and shall communicate the same to the absentee party by registered post. In case of default by either of the parties on the adjourned date, the counsellor shall submit a report to the Court and on receipt of such report, the Court may proceed with the matter without prejudice to other powers of the Court to take action against the defaulting parties.The counsellor entrusted with any petition on appearance of the parties before her/him shall assist and advice the parties regarding the settlement of the subject matter of dispute and shall endeavour to help the parties in arriving at conciliation.The counsellor may, in discharge of her/his duties visit the home of either of the parties and interview the relatives, friends and acquaintances of either of the parties.The counsellor in discharge of her/his duties may also seek such information as she/he deems fit from the employer of either of the parties and such requisition for information shall be made through the Court.The counsellor may take the assistance of any organization, institution or agency in discharge of her/his duties.The counsellor shall submit a report to the Court as and when called for to assist the Court in deciding the case on hand. The report may, inter alia contain the following points:(a)Living environment of the parties concerned.(b)Personalities.(c)Relationship.(d)Income and standard of living.(e)Educational status of the parties.(f)Status in society.(g)Counsellor's findings.The counsellor may also supervise the child/children if and when called upon by the Court.
