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Judges preside over civil and criminal courts of law, and may decide the outcome of some legal cases. Judges are usually appointed by a State or Federal Governor or Attorney-General. To be eligible, you need to have completed a law degree and have been licensed to practise law for a minimum of eight years. Future Growth Strong

They ensure that courts are run fairly by enforcing the rules of law and evidence. They listen to evidence put forward by lawyers, barristers and solicitors and decide on the kind of evidence that is allowed in a case. They also instruct juries on legal matters, receive the decisions that juries make on legal cases, and make decisions on the outcome of cases. They pass sentence on those convicted of crimes and decide on the outcomes of custody and access disputes. Judges may also sit on tribunals or offer input to programs that seek to improve the court and justice system. They work all over Australia in large and small courts in our cities and larger towns.

Judges and magistrates ensure that legal processes in courts of law are run fairly and according to the rules of law and evidence.

ANZSCO ID: description: 271211 Presides over civil and criminal proceedings in a court of law.

Specialisations: District Court Judge, Family Court Judge, Family Court Justice, Federal Court Judge, High Court Justice, Magistrate, Supreme Court Judge, Youth Court Judge (NZ)

  • Associate Judge (Supreme Court): The person who generally carries out the judicial function of hearing and determining issues which arise before and after trial in civil cases. Associate Judges do not hear trials.

  • Judge's Associate (Supreme, County and Coroners Courts): Performs various administrative and court duties to assist the judge. These duties may include completing paperwork, liaising with parties, keeping a record of court proceedings, and taking verdicts or findings in coronial hearings.

 



Knowledge, skills and attributes

A Judge needs:

  • a strong moral and ethical code

  • research, analytical and interpreting skills - the ability to understand, analyse and use facts quickly and logically

  • decision-making ability

  • maturity and responsibility

  • integrity, honesty and fairness  in all your dealings

  • a sense of compassion

  • to be able to deal with public scrutiny

  • an intimate knowledge of Commonwealth and state law, legal history and court processes

  • good oral and written communication skills

  • the ability to work under pressure and deal with a variety of people.

  • Judges and magistrates must be Australian citizens

Judge
(Source: Sydney Criminal Lawyers)

 

Duties and Tasks

As a Judge or magistrate, you would:

  • read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues

  • rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony

  • monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed

  • preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges

  • read and research previous cases, other legal decisions and legislation in order to stay up to date with changes and legal precedents - researches statutes and previous court decisions relevant to cases.

  • conducts trials and hearings

  • hears and evaluates arguments and evidence in civil and criminal summary matters

  • decides penalties and sentences within statutory limits, such as fines, bonds and detention, awarding damages in civil matters, and issuing court orders.

  • exercises arbitral powers if resolution is not achieved or seems improbable through conciliation

  • advises government of legal, constitutional and parliamentary matters and drafts bills and attends committee meetings during consideration of bills

  • advises agents on legal and technical matters.

Judges preside over civil and criminal proceedings, and would also:

  • instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts

  • award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court

  • write judgments after the case, including detailed descriptions of their reasons.

Working conditions

Judges work in offices and courtrooms. They usually work regular business hours, but may be required to work longer hours to prepare for court and read case files. The length of cases varies considerably, with civil cases sometimes taking a matter of minutes to resolve, and criminal investigations sometimes taking weeks or even months to resolve. Judges may be required to travel between regional courthouses if they are working in country areas.

All judges and magistrates are employed by local, state, and federal governments. Most work both out of their own offices (called Chambers) and in courts of law.

Jurors chairs
Jurors chairs


Tools and technologies

Judges refer to legal texts and databases when researching a case. They are required to wear legal gowns in court. They may use a microphone, depending on the size of the courtroom in which they are presiding.


Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a judge you must first complete a degree in law, and then gain significant experience as a solicitor or barrister. To get into degree courses you usually need to gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent with English. Students are often advised to undertake a combined degree course that leads to two degrees. The prerequisite subjects required for entry into these combined courses depend on the non-law component of the combined course.

Many universities in Australia offer degrees in law.

To work as a barrister or solicitor in Australia, you must complete Practical Legal Training as specified by the Legal Practice Board in each State in Australia and then apply to the Supreme Court for admission as a lawyer.

To be eligible to be appointed as a Judge by the Governor of each State in Australia, you will need to have practised law for a minimum of eight years. However, most judges have significantly more than eight years of experience working in the judicial system before they are appointed.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of judges and magistrates is projected to show little or no change.

Nearly every new position for a judge must be authorised and approved under State or Commonwealth legislation. New judges are usually only appointed when others retire or resign.

Did You Know?

A Judge can use any of the following three sources of Australian law:

  • Acts of Parliament or legislation
  • the common law, or previous decisions by the courts
  • a constitution, either State or Commonwealth

depending on the particular court the judge is working in.

Because Australia is a federation, with two main levels of government, there are also two levels of courts, State and Commonwealth. The High Court is the final court of appeal for both levels. Some other legal disputes may be dealt with by the High Court from the start. Constitutional cases often begin in this way.

To what extent do judges make law?

Judges make law to a limited extent.

The common law is judge-made law. That means a law has been made because of something a Judge has ruled on in his/her court. These laws continue to be adapted to meet new situations and changing circumstances.

How are Australian judges appointed?

Australia has two main levels of government, the Commonwealth and the States. Both have court systems.

The method for appointment of judges to both Commonwealth and State courts is roughly the same. Judges are only formally appointed by the Governor-General, who acts on the advice of the government. The Attorney-General also plays an important part.

In a similar way, Judges of State courts are appointed by the State Governors, on the advice of the State Government, with each State Attorney-General playing an important role.

Supreme Court Perth
Supreme Court Perth

Not everyone can become a judge. There is no law to say so but judges in Australia are always lawyers. That is because they have had experience arguing cases in court.

In a few recent instances, appointments have been made from other parts of the legal profession as well: solicitors, academics and government lawyers.

Judge

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Judge

Personal Assistant

Corporate Trainer

Lawyer

Marketing Officer

Management Consultant

Officer Administrator

Interpreter

Private Investigator

Security Consultant

Receptionist

Sports Administrator

Call Centre Operator

Marketing Research Analyst

Hospital Administrator

Medical Administrator

Nurse Manager

Sports Centre Manager

Steward of Racing

Bookmaker

Child Care Centre Manager

Fundraiser

Conveyancer

Judge

Personal Assistant

Corporate Trainer

Lawyer

Marketing Officer

Management Consultant

Officer Administrator

Interpreter

Private Investigator

Security Consultant

Receptionist

Sports Administrator

Call Centre Operator

Marketing Research Analyst

Hospital Administrator

Medical Administrator

Nurse Manager

Sports Centre Manager

Steward of Racing

Bookmaker

Child Care Centre Manager

Fundraiser

Conveyancer

Judge

Personal Assistant

Corporate Trainer

Lawyer

Marketing Officer

Management Consultant

Officer Administrator

Interpreter

Private Investigator

Security Consultant

Receptionist

Sports Administrator

Call Centre Operator

Marketing Research Analyst

Hospital Administrator

Medical Administrator

Nurse Manager

Sports Centre Manager

Steward of Racing

Bookmaker

Child Care Centre Manager

Fundraiser

Conveyancer

Judge

Personal Assistant

Corporate Trainer

Lawyer

Marketing Officer

Management Consultant

Officer Administrator

Interpreter

Private Investigator

Security Consultant

Receptionist