This study explored social work practice in court setting. With 4 in depth interview, 4 keyrninformant and 2 client participants the research has made an effort to explore the overallrnpractice of social work in courts by talking Lideta federal first instance court as an example. Thernstudy tried to recognize the role contribution and challenges of social work practice and thernavailable resource in relation with the support system of the practice which is the referralrnsystem. In depth interview participants were social work practitioners and key informant werernhigher official in the president office of lideta federal first instance court, a judge, higherrnofficials in child justice project office. And client participants were service users of social workrnin custody bench. Qualitative case study research method was implemented to undertake thernstudy. And thematic analysis method approach was used for data analysis. The research findingrnindicated the baseline for social work practice in courts is best interest of the child whichrnemanates from CRC and FDRE constitution. And social work practice in courts work towardsrnsafeguarding and promoting rights and benefits of children in contact with the justice system.rnSocial workers give intermediary, case management, guidance and mediation services for victimrnchildren, children under cases in custody investigation and children in conflict with the lawrnconsequently. They also assist the court by preparing expert recommendation and by making therncourt child friendly to help the court find the truth. Another role of social workers is to facilitaternadditional support for clients through the referral system, which is a huge resource for thernpractice. Main challenges for the practice are, luck of regular training for social workrnpractitioners , limitation on accessibility of resources , miss perception and low attention givenrnfor therole and contribution of the practice ,and luck of stress management mechanism forrnpractitioners. Contribution of social work practice for clients and the court, resource potential inrnthe referral system and challenges of using the referral system are also included in the researchrnKey words: court, social workers, referral system, child justice project office, role, contribution and challenges