The program provides a balance of theory sessions (participants hear from subject matter experts as well as experienced judicial officers) and practical sessions involving facilitator led practice in managing the court room and delivering oral decisions in front of peers. Participants have an opportunity to reflect on their judicial role and function and meet with their peers from other jurisdictions.

The program provides newly appointed magistrates with the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of senior magistrates who attend the program as speakers and facilitators, as well as allowing an exchange of idea and experiences among participants.

The judicial learning outcomes of this program are specifically designed to provide participants with the judicial skills necessary to facilitate and enhance their transition to a role on the bench. 

Each and every day, magistrates are called upon to make decisions that affect the lives of the individuals and families coming before them. This flagship, orientation program familiarizes you with many of the skills and social context issues that affect the judicial decision making process. During the program, the sessions cover ethical considerations that may impact decision making, sentencing, skills for addressing interpreters in the courtroom as well as court-craft skills to address self-represented litigants. Two afternoons are dedicated to small group, experiential learning session in the courtroom with experienced magistrates. Other sessions questions around judicial life, the giving of oral decisions and an introduction to the 5C’s of judgment writing.

This sharing of experience and practice, led by senior, experienced magistrates and facilitators, will enable newly appointment magistrates to return to their respective courts with practical, readily useable information and instantly applicable judicial skills.

Catering during program hours

Welcome Reception Sunday evening

Program Dinners, Tuesday and Thursday

Accommodation and Travel NOT included

Meet your Program Planning Committee

Testimonials

National Magistrates Orientation Program – Sept 2023

“Thank you. This was a very valuable experience, and all presenters and presentations were of the highest quality.”

National Magistrates Orientation Program – Sept 2023

“Very valuable for all new magistrates. Very well organised. What I admired was that all presenters were so approachable and willing to assist. Very welcoming environment to learn.”

National Magistrates Orientation Program – Sept 2023

”I was looking forward to this programme but it still exceeded all expectations. There was collegiality in the group, we had friendly, approachable and knowledgeable facilitators, the content was interesting, varied, and directly relevant to our day-to-day work and our level of experience. 10 out of 10! I wish we could do this every year…”

National Magistrates Intensive Program – Nov 2023

“The topics and presenters were well targeted at the experience level of their audience. In my case, it reinforced much of what I do, and opened up some thinking about alternative approaches in some areas.”