(1) A magistrate may —
(a) summon or cause to be summoned a person to be present at an initial inquiry, whose presence is in the best interest of the child or is necessary for the conclusion of the initial inquiry;
(b) permit the attendance of a person who may be able to contribute to the initial inquiry;
(c) request further documentation or information which may be necessary or relevant to the initial inquiry;
(d) after consideration of the information contained in an assessment report, elicit information from a person attending the initial inquiry to supplement or clarify the information in the assessment report;
(e) take the steps that may be necessary to establish the truth of a statement or the accuracy of a submission; and
(f) if the conduct of the proceedings of the initial inquiry or an aspect of it is in dispute, rule on the conduct of the initial inquiry in a manner consistent with this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding section 27(1), if a child has not been assessed at the commencement of the initial inquiry, a magistrate may dispense with the assessment if it is in the best interest of the child to do so.
(3) A magistrate shall ensure that the child, in a language that the child understands, the attorney-at-law representing the child, the parent or an appropriate adult —
(a) has knowledge of the recommendations in the assessment report prepared by the probation officer; and
(b) is informed of a diversion option and the aims and content of the diversion option.
(4) A magistrate may request the probation officer to explain, elaborate on or justify a recommendation or statement made in the assessment report and provide additional information.
(5) A magistrate shall consider the reports provided by the police officer who apprehended the child, regarding the apprehension of the child and the detention of the child in police custody.