The 21st Century Jurist, 19-20 August 2027

This is a new NJCA program for for experienced judges, magistrates and tribunal members only. It is delivered over two days and features an interactive workshop using the NJCA’s Stoic Judge Backpack.

Time on the bench is often long, and it is hard. The weightiness of judicial work can grow over time, reflected in the importance and impact of decisions. Judicial stress can affect all judicial officers and tribunal members.

The 21st Century Jurist program is for participants to refocus on the clear principles and vision that participants had upon joining the bench several years prior.  Participants will re-explore and revisit the joy of (efficient) judging.

The target audience is judicial officers who have a minimum of five years’ judicial experience. 

This new NJCA program operates on the foundational premise that experienced judicial officers and tribunal members occupy a critical position in maintaining public confidence in the Australian judicial system.

By balancing examination of the judiciary’s historical foundations with contemporary challenges, the program seeks to reinforce and build upon the practical realities of judicial work in the 21st century.

By the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Recognise warning signs of institutional pressure on judicial independence, including populist threats that frame courts as anti-democratic obstacles;
• Implement evidence-based strategies for maintaining personal resilience, bravery and professional effectiveness throughout their judicial career;
• Create a personal action plan for sustainable judicial excellence over the remainder of their career;
• Built or strengthen peer networks that will provide ongoing professional support; and
• Renew their commitment to the judicial role with enhanced awareness of its democratic significance, public good and sharpen practical tools for meeting the demands of judicial life into the future.
• Assess the individual and collective responsibilities of judges when democratic institutions are under threat;
• Evaluate the roles played and choices available to judiciaries during periods of political crisis, using Nazi Germany, Apartheid South Africa, and contemporary Poland, USA as case studies;
• Compare international experiences of judicial crisis with the Australian context to identify vulnerabilities and protective factors;
• Articulate the current challenges facing the Australian judiciary in the context of contemporary legal, political, economic and social developments;
• Apply historical and comparative perspectives to critically evaluate threats to judicial independence in their own jurisdiction;
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of judicial independence as both an institutional imperative and a personal responsibility;

A worn-down judiciary has potential consequences for justice outcomes.

A proactive approach through well designed and impactful judicial education is critical for ongoing confidence of the Australian people in its judiciary.  The judicial learning outcomes of the program reflects a growing recognition that wellbeing is integral to judicial resilience and fitness.

This is an immersive judicial learning program. For this reason, the registration fee includes accommodation, all catering, and dinner on the Thursday evening.

Meet your Program Planning Committee