Leading judicial education for an Australian judiciary

The national orientation program provides a wealth of knowledge, understanding, judge-craft skills and social context training for newly appointed magistrates from across Australia.

Designed with a balance of theory sessions and practical sessions involving facilitator-led practice in managing the court room and delivering oral decisions. Participants have an opportunity to reflect on their judicial role and function and meet with magistrates from other jurisdictions for important cross-jurisdictional discourse and peer support.

This program will provide magistrates with not only with invaluable opportunities to connect with others, but also to pose questions and learn from senior judicial officers and experts.

The judicial learning outcomes of this program are ambitious. The series and sequencing of sessions is specifically designed to provide participants with the judicial skills necessary to facilitate and enhance their role in the judiciary. 

This NJCA flagship orientation program will familiarise magistrates with many skills and issues that affect the judicial decision making process. Sessions include aspects of transitioning to the bench, managing high volume caseloads, handling challenging situations and ethical considerations that may impact decision making, you will also be armed with strategies for maintaining psychological and physical health, and look at the value and use of interpreters in court.

Two afternoons of the program are dedicated to courtcraft and are delivered within the environment of the courtroom.

This sharing of experience and practice, led by senior, experienced magistrates and expert facilitators, will enable newly appointed magistrates to return to their respective courts with practical, readily useable information and instantly applicable skills. Cross jurisdictional discussion, discourse and debate is a treasured judicial learning outcome.

All catering during program hours, Welcome Reception on Sunday evening, along with dinner on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Accommodation and Travel are NOT included.

Meet your Program Planning Committee