What is the role of a guardian ad litem in a civil case?

on application only and involves little exercise of discretion." ' [Citation.] [] The purpose of a guardian ad litem is to protect the minor's interests in the litigation. [Citations.] A guardian ad litem is not a party to the action, but is the party's representative and is an officer of the court. [Citations.] . . . ' "[A] guardian ad litem's role is more than an attorney's but less than a party's. The guardian may make tactical and even fundamental decisions affecting the litigation but always with the interest of the guardian's charge in mind. . . ." ' Thus, when considering the appropriate guardian ad litem for a minor plaintiff in a civil lawsuit, the central issue is the appropriate protection of the minor's legal right to recover damages or other requested relief." (Williams v. Superior Court (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 36, 46-47.)