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Appendices, Glossary, Index, GRI index and Five-year overview<br />

114 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Contents<br />

Appendix 1. Complaints against judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers: guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116<br />

Appendix 2. Conduct Division: guidelines for examination <strong>of</strong> complaints. . . . . . . . . . . . . 119<br />

Appendix 3. Continuing judicial education policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121<br />

Appendix 4. Committees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122<br />

Appendix 5. Conference topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123<br />

Appendix 6. <strong>Judicial</strong> education seminars, workshops and field trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127<br />

Appendix 7. Articles published by the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128<br />

Appendix 8. Publications list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129<br />

Appendix 9. Ngara Yura program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131<br />

Appendix 10. Assistance to other jurisdictions and organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131<br />

Appendix 11. Working with other organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132<br />

Appendix 12. Visitors to the <strong>Commission</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132<br />

Appendix 13. Overseas visits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133<br />

Appendix 14. Exchange <strong>of</strong> information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133<br />

Appendix 15. Presentations by <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134<br />

Appendix 16. Access to government information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135<br />

Appendix 17. Other compliance matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136<br />

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137<br />

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138<br />

GRI index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140<br />

Five-year overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148<br />

Photo: The Downing Centre in Liverpool Street, Sydney, once the popular Mark Foy’s<br />

Department store, now houses the busy Local Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> and the criminal registry and<br />

short matters courts <strong>of</strong> the District Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>.<br />

Appendices, Glossary, Index, GRI index and Five-year overview 115


Appendices<br />

Appendix 1<br />

Complaints against judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers: guidelines<br />

1. Overview<br />

The objective <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong>’s<br />

complaint function is to ensure that<br />

complaints about the ability and<br />

behaviour <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers are<br />

investigated in a timely and effective<br />

manner in order to:<br />

a) enhance public confidence in the<br />

judiciary <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>, and<br />

b) promote good practices and<br />

high standards <strong>of</strong> judicial<br />

performance.<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Act 1986<br />

provides a means for people<br />

to complain about the conduct<br />

<strong>of</strong> a judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer and to have<br />

those complaints examined by an<br />

independent body. An important<br />

role <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong> is not only<br />

to receive and examine complaints<br />

made against judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers, but to<br />

determine which complaints require<br />

further action.<br />

These guidelines are designed to<br />

assist people to understand the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>’s complaint function,<br />

including the principles and<br />

procedures adopted by the <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

<strong>Commission</strong>. The detailed provisions<br />

<strong>of</strong> the complaint function are in Part 6<br />

<strong>of</strong> the legislation.<br />

2. Who is a judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer?<br />

2.1 A “judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer” under the <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Officers Act means:<br />

• a judge or associate judge <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Supreme Court<br />

• a member (including a judicial<br />

member) <strong>of</strong> the Industrial<br />

Relations <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• a judge <strong>of</strong> the Land and<br />

Environment Court<br />

• a judge <strong>of</strong> the District Court<br />

• the president <strong>of</strong> the Children’s<br />

Court<br />

• a magistrate, or<br />

• the president <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Administrative Decisions<br />

Tribunal.<br />

2.2 The definition <strong>of</strong> “judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer”<br />

includes acting appointments to a<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>fice but does not include<br />

arbitrators, registrars, chamber<br />

registrars, assessors, members <strong>of</strong><br />

tribunals or legal representatives.<br />

2.3 The <strong>Commission</strong> has no power to<br />

examine complaints against federal<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers or a person who is no<br />

longer a judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer.<br />

3. Making a complaint<br />

3.1 Who can make a complaint?<br />

A complaint may be made to the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> by any person or may<br />

be referred to the <strong>Commission</strong> by the<br />

Attorney General.<br />

3.2 Legislative requirements<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Act requires<br />

that a complaint is in writing and<br />

that it identifies the complainant<br />

and the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer concerned.<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Regulation<br />

2006 requires that particulars <strong>of</strong> a<br />

complaint are verified by statutory<br />

declaration and that the complaint<br />

is lodged with the Chief Executive to<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

3.3 Assistance to complainants<br />

If a person cannot write, he or she<br />

may contact the <strong>Commission</strong> and<br />

assistance will be provided to put the<br />

complaint in writing. If interpreting or<br />

translation assistance from another<br />

language to English is required, the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> will make arrangements.<br />

3.4 Advice to the public<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> provides further<br />

advice to the public about the<br />

complaints process through:<br />

• its website which provides an<br />

easy to understand guide to<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong>’s complaints<br />

process, detailed information<br />

about possible outcomes <strong>of</strong><br />

complaints, and a complaints<br />

form for downloading<br />

• a plain English brochure outlining<br />

the complaints process<br />

• assistance to potential<br />

complainants with translation<br />

and interpreting services<br />

• responding to telephone and<br />

face-to-face enquiries, and<br />

• giving talks on the complaints<br />

process to interested groups.<br />

3.5 Acknowledge receipt <strong>of</strong> complaints<br />

All complaints submitted to the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> in proper form will be<br />

acknowledged in writing within one<br />

week <strong>of</strong> receipt.<br />

4. Complaints not within the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>’s jurisdiction<br />

4.1 The <strong>Commission</strong> does not review a<br />

case for judicial error, mistake, or other<br />

legal ground. Reviews <strong>of</strong> those matters<br />

are the function <strong>of</strong> appellate courts.<br />

4.2 Allegations <strong>of</strong> corruption against<br />

a judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer are required to be<br />

referred by the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong><br />

to the Independent <strong>Commission</strong><br />

Against Corruption for investigation<br />

by that body.<br />

5. Investigating a complaint<br />

5.1 Receipt <strong>of</strong> a complaint<br />

On receiving a complaint, the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> will conduct a<br />

preliminary examination into the<br />

matter. In every case, the judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficer is advised <strong>of</strong> the fact that<br />

a complaint has been made<br />

and provided with a copy <strong>of</strong> the<br />

complaint documentation.<br />

5.2 Preliminary examination<br />

The preliminary examination <strong>of</strong> all<br />

complaints must be undertaken<br />

by <strong>Commission</strong> members at a<br />

properly constituted meeting <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>Commission</strong>. The quorum for a<br />

meeting is seven members, <strong>of</strong> whom<br />

at least one must be an appointed<br />

member. 1 The <strong>Commission</strong> cannot<br />

delegate the preliminary examination<br />

<strong>of</strong> a complaint except to a committee,<br />

which must consist entirely <strong>of</strong><br />

members and include at least one<br />

appointed member.<br />

The initial investigation will <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

involve an examination <strong>of</strong> transcripts,<br />

sound recordings, judgments, court<br />

files and other relevant material. It<br />

may also involve taking statements<br />

from relevant persons. If necessary, a<br />

response to the complaint is sought<br />

from the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer.<br />

1 Appointed members are persons appointed by the Governor on the nomination <strong>of</strong> the Minister and who, in the opinion <strong>of</strong> the Minister, have<br />

high standing in the community.<br />

116 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


5.3 Confidentiality<br />

The preliminary examination <strong>of</strong><br />

a complaint by the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

will be conducted, as far as<br />

practicable, on a confidential basis.<br />

The legislative requirement <strong>of</strong><br />

confidentiality protects the judiciary<br />

from unjust criticism and protects<br />

those who furnish information to<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong> in the course <strong>of</strong> its<br />

examination <strong>of</strong> a complaint.<br />

The proceedings <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

and all information and materials,<br />

written or oral, obtained by the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> in the course <strong>of</strong><br />

its preliminary examination are<br />

confidential.<br />

5.4 Time standards for finalisation <strong>of</strong><br />

investigations<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> aims to finalise the<br />

investigation <strong>of</strong> 90% <strong>of</strong> complaints<br />

within six months <strong>of</strong> receipt and<br />

100% within 12 months <strong>of</strong> receipt.<br />

6. Complaints against a judicial<br />

member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

A judicial member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

will not participate in any discussions<br />

or decisions involving complaints<br />

against him or her.<br />

7. Action following preliminary<br />

examination<br />

Following its preliminary examination,<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong> must take one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

following actions:<br />

• summarily dismiss the complaint<br />

• refer the complaint to the relevant<br />

head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction, or<br />

• refer the complaint to the<br />

Conduct Division.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> will act in<br />

accordance with the principles <strong>of</strong><br />

natural justice in conducting its<br />

examination <strong>of</strong> a complaint. Before<br />

referring a matter to the head <strong>of</strong><br />

jurisdiction or the Conduct Division,<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong> provides the judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficer with an opportunity to respond<br />

to the complaint and to present<br />

additional information that may assist<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong> in its investigation<br />

into the matter.<br />

8. Summary dismissal<br />

8.1 A complaint must be summarily<br />

dismissed if one or more <strong>of</strong> the<br />

grounds under section 20(1) <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Act exist, whether or not it appears<br />

to be substantiated. These grounds<br />

are:<br />

• the complaint is one that the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> is required not to<br />

deal with<br />

• the complaint is frivolous,<br />

vexatious or not in good faith<br />

• the subject matter <strong>of</strong> the<br />

complaint is trivial<br />

• the matter complained about<br />

occurred at too remote a time to<br />

justify further consideration<br />

• the complaint is about a judicial<br />

decision, or other judicial<br />

function, that is or was subject to<br />

a right <strong>of</strong> appeal or right to apply<br />

for judicial review<br />

• the person who is the subject<br />

<strong>of</strong> the complaint is no longer a<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer, or<br />

• in all the circumstances further<br />

consideration <strong>of</strong> the complaint is<br />

unnecessary or unjustifiable.<br />

8.2 Where a complaint is summarily<br />

dismissed the <strong>Commission</strong> will,<br />

as soon as practicable after its<br />

determination is made, inform the<br />

complainant in writing and provide the<br />

reasons for dismissing the complaint.<br />

This will include a reference to the<br />

relevant provisions <strong>of</strong> the legislation<br />

that have been applied in the handling<br />

and determination <strong>of</strong> the complaint.<br />

The judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer will also be advised<br />

in writing <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong>’s<br />

determination.<br />

8.3 Many <strong>of</strong> the complaints that are<br />

dismissed by the <strong>Commission</strong>,<br />

because they disclose no<br />

misconduct, are nonetheless helpful<br />

in the improvement <strong>of</strong> the judicial<br />

system. The feedback from the<br />

examination <strong>of</strong> complaints has<br />

provided valuable information for<br />

the further development <strong>of</strong> judicial<br />

education programs conducted by<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

8.4 The <strong>Commission</strong> may declare a person<br />

to be a vexatious complainant, if the<br />

person habitually and persistently,<br />

and mischievously or without<br />

any reasonable grounds, makes<br />

complaints. This section applies<br />

whether the complaints are about the<br />

same or different judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> may disregard any<br />

complaint made by the person while<br />

the declaration is in force.<br />

9. Reference to a head <strong>of</strong><br />

jurisdiction<br />

9.1 Where a complaint has not been<br />

dismissed following the preliminary<br />

examination by the <strong>Commission</strong>,<br />

but in its opinion it does not justify<br />

reference to the Conduct Division,<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong> may refer the matter<br />

to the relevant head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction.<br />

9.2 The <strong>Commission</strong> will notify the<br />

head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction in writing <strong>of</strong> its<br />

decision and will formally refer the<br />

matter, including all relevant material,<br />

for attention.<br />

9.3 In referring a complaint to the head<br />

<strong>of</strong> jurisdiction the <strong>Commission</strong> may<br />

include recommendations as to what<br />

steps might be taken to deal with the<br />

complaint, such as counselling by<br />

the head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction.<br />

9.4 Where a complaint is referred to<br />

the relevant head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong> will, as soon as<br />

practicable after the decision is<br />

made, advise the complainant and<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> the action taken.<br />

10. Reference to the Conduct<br />

Division<br />

10.1 Where a complaint has not been<br />

dismissed following the preliminary<br />

examination by the <strong>Commission</strong>, and<br />

has not been referred to the head <strong>of</strong><br />

jurisdiction, it must be referred to the<br />

Conduct Division.<br />

10.2 The function <strong>of</strong> a Conduct Division is<br />

to examine and deal with a particular<br />

complaint that has been referred to it<br />

by the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

Appendix 1 — Complaints against judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers: guidelines 117


Appendices<br />

Appendix 1: Complaints against judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers: guidelines continued<br />

10.3 A Conduct Division is constituted<br />

by a panel <strong>of</strong> two judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

(one <strong>of</strong> whom may be a retired<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer) and one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

two community representatives<br />

nominated by Parliament. The<br />

membership <strong>of</strong> the Conduct<br />

Division will be determined by the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>. The <strong>Commission</strong> will<br />

also appoint one member <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Conduct Division as Chairperson.<br />

10.4 Where a complaint is referred to the<br />

Conduct Division the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

will, as soon as practicable after<br />

the decision is made, advise the<br />

complainant and the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

<strong>of</strong> the action taken. The <strong>Commission</strong><br />

will also advise the Attorney General<br />

<strong>of</strong> its decision and, in each case,<br />

request the appointment <strong>of</strong> a legal<br />

practitioner or practitioners to assist<br />

the Conduct Division as counsel.<br />

11. Examination <strong>of</strong> a complaint by<br />

the Conduct Division<br />

11.1 The Conduct Division must conduct<br />

an examination <strong>of</strong> the complaint<br />

referred to it (section 23).<br />

11.2 In conducting the initial examination<br />

or investigation <strong>of</strong> a complaint<br />

referred to it by the <strong>Commission</strong> the<br />

legislation requires that, as far as<br />

practicable, this will take place in<br />

private (section 23(3)).<br />

11.3 Meetings <strong>of</strong> the Conduct Division<br />

The initial examination <strong>of</strong> a complaint<br />

will involve the members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Conduct Division and may include<br />

counsel assisting in its meetings. As<br />

part <strong>of</strong> this initial process a venue and<br />

timetable for the investigation will be<br />

determined.<br />

11.4 Preliminary matters<br />

Preliminary matters necessary prior<br />

to the commencement <strong>of</strong> a hearing,<br />

including:<br />

• interviewing the complainant and<br />

other potential witnesses<br />

• taking statements<br />

• gathering documents and other<br />

material, and<br />

• preparing a brief <strong>of</strong> evidence,<br />

will be undertaken by counsel<br />

assisting the Division. This will be<br />

under the direction <strong>of</strong> the Division.<br />

11.5 Medical or psychological examination<br />

Where the Conduct Division is <strong>of</strong> the<br />

opinion that a judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer about<br />

whom a complaint has been made<br />

may be physically or mentally unfit to<br />

exercise efficiently the functions <strong>of</strong> a<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>fice, it may request the <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

to undergo a medical or psychological<br />

examination (section 34).<br />

12. Hearings by the Conduct Division<br />

12.1 The legislation provides that the<br />

Conduct Division may hold hearings<br />

in relation to a complaint and that a<br />

hearing may be held in public or in<br />

private, as the Conduct Division may<br />

determine (section 24(2)).<br />

12.2 Release <strong>of</strong> information<br />

The Conduct Division has power to<br />

give directions preventing the public<br />

disclosure <strong>of</strong> evidence given at its<br />

hearings (section 36(1)).<br />

12.3 Royal <strong>Commission</strong>s Act 1923<br />

The function <strong>of</strong> the Conduct<br />

Division is to inquire further into the<br />

complaint about the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer.<br />

In doing so the Conduct Division<br />

has the functions, protections<br />

and immunities conferred by the<br />

Royal <strong>Commission</strong>s Act 1923 on<br />

commissioners appointed under that<br />

Act. The Royal <strong>Commission</strong>s Act<br />

applies to any witness summoned<br />

by or appearing before the Conduct<br />

Division.<br />

13. Reports <strong>of</strong> the Conduct Division<br />

13.1 Report to Governor and others<br />

If the Division has formed an<br />

opinion that the matter could justify<br />

parliamentary consideration <strong>of</strong><br />

the removal <strong>of</strong> the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

complained about from <strong>of</strong>fice, it<br />

must present to the Governor a<br />

report setting out its findings <strong>of</strong><br />

fact and that opinion. A copy <strong>of</strong> the<br />

report must also be furnished to the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>, the Attorney General<br />

and to the complainant. The copy<br />

to the complainant is provided only<br />

after it has been laid before each<br />

House <strong>of</strong> Parliament.<br />

13.2 Report to the head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction<br />

If the Division forms an opinion<br />

that the matter is wholly or partly<br />

substantiated but does not justify<br />

parliamentary consideration <strong>of</strong><br />

the removal <strong>of</strong> the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

complained about from <strong>of</strong>fice, it<br />

must send a report to the relevant<br />

head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction setting out its<br />

conclusions. The report may also<br />

include recommendations as to what<br />

steps might be taken to deal with<br />

the complaint. A copy <strong>of</strong> this report<br />

is also provided to the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

and the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

14. Annual Report<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Act 1986<br />

requires that certain information,<br />

including statistics and information<br />

about complaints disposed <strong>of</strong> during<br />

the year, be reported to Parliament.<br />

This information appears in the<br />

Annual Report <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

The Report is available in hard copy<br />

from the <strong>Commission</strong> or can be found<br />

on its website (www.judcom.nsw.<br />

gov.au).<br />

118 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Appendix 2<br />

Conduct Division: guidelines for examination <strong>of</strong> complaints<br />

1. Introduction<br />

These guidelines have been<br />

formulated by the <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

<strong>Commission</strong> to assist a Conduct<br />

Division in the exercise <strong>of</strong> its function<br />

in the examination <strong>of</strong> complaints<br />

against judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

The Conduct Division is not a<br />

standing body but is appointed by<br />

the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> when a<br />

particular complaint or reference<br />

under Part 6A <strong>of</strong> the Act is referred to<br />

it for examination.<br />

The relevant provisions <strong>of</strong> the<br />

legislation relating to the Conduct<br />

Division are contained in Division 3<br />

<strong>of</strong> Part 6 and Part 6A <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Officers Act 1986. These include:<br />

(a) the constitution <strong>of</strong> a Conduct<br />

Division<br />

(b) the examination <strong>of</strong> complaints<br />

(c) hearings by the Conduct Division<br />

(d) powers <strong>of</strong> the Conduct Division,<br />

and<br />

(e) reports.<br />

2. Referral <strong>of</strong> complaints to the<br />

Conduct Division<br />

2.1 Following the preliminary<br />

examination <strong>of</strong> a complaint by the<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong>, if the complaint<br />

is not summarily dismissed under<br />

one or more <strong>of</strong> the grounds under<br />

section 20(1) <strong>of</strong> the Act, the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> may either refer the<br />

complaint to the relevant head <strong>of</strong><br />

jurisdiction (section 21(2)) or refer the<br />

matter to a Conduct Division.<br />

2.2 The function <strong>of</strong> a Conduct Division<br />

is to examine and investigate a<br />

particular complaint that has been<br />

referred to it by the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

2.3 A Conduct Division is constituted<br />

by a panel <strong>of</strong> two judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

(one <strong>of</strong> whom may be a retired<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer) and one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

two community representatives<br />

nominated by Parliament. The<br />

membership <strong>of</strong> the Conduct<br />

Division will be determined by the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>. The <strong>Commission</strong> will<br />

also appoint one member <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Conduct Division as Chairperson.<br />

2.4 A formal instrument <strong>of</strong> delegation<br />

appointing a Conduct Division<br />

(including the Chairperson) will be<br />

executed by the members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

2.5 Where a complaint is referred to a<br />

Conduct Division the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

will, as soon as practicable after<br />

that decision is made, advise the<br />

complainant and the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

<strong>of</strong> the action taken. The <strong>Commission</strong><br />

will also advise the Attorney General<br />

<strong>of</strong> its decision and, in each case,<br />

request the appointment <strong>of</strong> a legal<br />

practitioner or practitioners to assist<br />

the Conduct Division as counsel.<br />

3. Referrals under Part 6A —<br />

Suspected impairment <strong>of</strong> judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

The Conduct Division has the<br />

same functions in relation to the<br />

examination <strong>of</strong> a matter referred to<br />

it under Part 6A <strong>of</strong> the Act as it has<br />

in relation to the examination <strong>of</strong> a<br />

complaint (section 39F(2)).<br />

4. Examination <strong>of</strong> complaint by the<br />

Conduct Division<br />

4.1 The Conduct Division must conduct<br />

an examination <strong>of</strong> the complaint<br />

referred to it (section 23).<br />

4.2 In conducting the initial examination<br />

or investigation <strong>of</strong> a complaint<br />

referred to it by the <strong>Commission</strong> the<br />

legislation requires, that as far as<br />

practicable, this will take place in<br />

private (section 23(3)).<br />

4.3 Meetings <strong>of</strong> the Conduct Division<br />

The initial examination <strong>of</strong> a complaint<br />

will involve the members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Conduct Division and may include<br />

counsel assisting in its meetings. As<br />

part <strong>of</strong> this initial process a venue and<br />

timetable for the investigation will be<br />

determined.<br />

4.4 Minutes<br />

The legislation requires that the<br />

Conduct Division will keep full and<br />

accurate minutes <strong>of</strong> the proceedings<br />

<strong>of</strong> each meeting <strong>of</strong> the Division<br />

(clause 5, Schedule 3, <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Officers Act 1986).<br />

4.5 Preliminary matters<br />

Preliminary matters necessary prior<br />

to the commencement <strong>of</strong> a hearing,<br />

including:<br />

• interviewing the complainant and<br />

other potential witnesses<br />

• taking statements<br />

• gathering documents and other<br />

material, and<br />

• preparing a brief <strong>of</strong> evidence,<br />

will be undertaken by counsel<br />

assisting the Division. This will be<br />

under the direction <strong>of</strong> the Division.<br />

4.6 Medical or psychological examination<br />

Where the Conduct Division is <strong>of</strong> the<br />

opinion that a judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer about<br />

whom a complaint has been made<br />

may be physically or mentally unfit to<br />

exercise efficiently the functions <strong>of</strong> a<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer, it may request the <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

to undergo a medical or psychological<br />

examination (section 34).<br />

5. Hearings by the Conduct Division<br />

The legislation provides that the<br />

Conduct Division may hold hearings<br />

in relation to a complaint and that a<br />

hearing may be held in public or in<br />

private, as the Conduct Division may<br />

determine (section 24(2)).<br />

5.1 Public or private hearings<br />

If the Conduct Division decides to<br />

conduct hearings into a complaint, it<br />

has to consider whether the hearings<br />

should be held in public or private or<br />

both.<br />

In exercising its discretion in relation<br />

to hearings and as to whether<br />

hearings should be held in public<br />

or in private or partly in public and<br />

partly in private, the main criteria the<br />

Division should consider include:<br />

(a) is it in the public interest to hold<br />

the hearing or part <strong>of</strong> the hearing<br />

in public or in private?<br />

(b) does the type <strong>of</strong> allegation<br />

under consideration (eg ability,<br />

behaviour, delay, impairment)<br />

require confidential treatment?<br />

(c) is it desirable, because <strong>of</strong> the<br />

confidential nature <strong>of</strong> any evidence<br />

or matter, to hold a hearing or part<br />

<strong>of</strong> a hearing in private?<br />

Appendix 2 — Conduct division: guidelines for examination <strong>of</strong> complaints 119


Appendices<br />

Appendix 2: Conduct Division: guidelines for examination <strong>of</strong> complaints continued<br />

(d) is there a need to protect a<br />

person who provides information<br />

to the Conduct Division as part <strong>of</strong><br />

its investigation?<br />

(e) would public confidence in the<br />

authority <strong>of</strong> the judiciary be<br />

undermined by a public or private<br />

hearing?<br />

(f) is it necessary to close a hearing<br />

to protect the reputation <strong>of</strong> a<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer from untested or<br />

unverified evidence?<br />

5.2 Persons who may be present at<br />

private hearings<br />

If a hearing or part <strong>of</strong> a hearing is to<br />

take place in private, the Conduct<br />

Division may determine the persons<br />

who may be present. As a general<br />

guide these may include:<br />

(a) the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer complained<br />

about<br />

(b) the legal representatives <strong>of</strong> the<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

(c) counsel assisting the Conduct<br />

Division<br />

(d) support staff assisting the<br />

Conduct Division<br />

(e) any person referred to in<br />

section 24(6)(b) and their legal<br />

representatives, and<br />

(f) witnesses including expert<br />

witnesses.<br />

5.3 Release <strong>of</strong> information<br />

The Conduct Division has power to<br />

give directions preventing the public<br />

disclosure <strong>of</strong> evidence given at its<br />

hearings (section 36(1)).<br />

5.4 Royal <strong>Commission</strong>s Act 1923<br />

The function <strong>of</strong> the Conduct<br />

Division is to inquire further into the<br />

complaint about the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer.<br />

In doing so the Conduct Division<br />

has the functions, protections<br />

and immunities conferred by the<br />

Royal <strong>Commission</strong>s Act 1923 on<br />

commissioners appointed under that<br />

Act. The Royal <strong>Commission</strong>s Act<br />

applies to any witness summoned<br />

by or appearing before the Conduct<br />

Division.<br />

5.5 Record <strong>of</strong> proceedings<br />

A transcript <strong>of</strong> proceedings should<br />

be made and kept whenever the<br />

Conduct Division meets as a body<br />

to receive evidence, hear testimony,<br />

or hear the arguments <strong>of</strong> counsel<br />

regarding matters before the Division.<br />

6. Legal representation before the<br />

Conduct Division<br />

6.1 The Attorney General will appoint a<br />

legal practitioner or practitioners to<br />

assist the Conduct Division and to<br />

present the case against the judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficer. This assistance is provided<br />

by senior and junior counsel and a<br />

solicitor (usually the Crown Solicitor).<br />

6.2 The judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer being complained<br />

about will in most instances appear<br />

at the hearing and be represented<br />

by senior and junior counsel and<br />

a solicitor. Funding <strong>of</strong> the legal<br />

representation is subject to approval<br />

by the Attorney General.<br />

6.3 The Conduct Division may also<br />

give permission for other people<br />

including a complainant to appear<br />

at the hearing and have legal<br />

representation.<br />

6.4 The right to legal representation for<br />

persons appearing at a hearing <strong>of</strong><br />

the Conduct Division is a matter<br />

for the discretion <strong>of</strong> the Division.<br />

Consistent with procedural fairness,<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong> is <strong>of</strong> the view, that<br />

as a general guide and wherever it<br />

is practicable to do so, the Conduct<br />

Division should consent to legal<br />

representation for persons appearing<br />

at its hearings.<br />

6.5 In exercising its discretion to consent<br />

to legal representation, the main<br />

criteria the Division should consider<br />

include:<br />

a) is the witness incapable <strong>of</strong><br />

representing him or herself?<br />

b) is the matter likely to affect an<br />

individual’s rights or interest?<br />

c) would the granting <strong>of</strong><br />

representation enhance the<br />

fairness <strong>of</strong> the proceedings?<br />

d) would the proceedings be<br />

conducted with more efficiency<br />

and expedition if representation<br />

were or were not granted?<br />

e) would the cost <strong>of</strong> the Inquiry be<br />

reduced if representation were<br />

granted?<br />

7. Reports<br />

7.1 Report to Governor and others<br />

If the Division has formed an<br />

opinion that the matter could justify<br />

parliamentary consideration <strong>of</strong><br />

the removal <strong>of</strong> the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

complained about from <strong>of</strong>fice, it<br />

must present to the Governor a<br />

report setting out its findings <strong>of</strong><br />

fact and that opinion. A copy <strong>of</strong> the<br />

report must also be furnished to the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>, the Attorney General<br />

and the complainant. The copy to the<br />

complainant is provided only after it<br />

has been laid before each House <strong>of</strong><br />

Parliament.<br />

7.2 Report to the head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction<br />

If the Division forms an opinion<br />

that the matter is wholly or partly<br />

substantiated but does not justify<br />

parliamentary consideration <strong>of</strong><br />

the removal <strong>of</strong> the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

complained about from <strong>of</strong>fice, it<br />

must send a report to the relevant<br />

head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction setting out its<br />

conclusions. The report may also<br />

include recommendations as to what<br />

steps might be taken to deal with<br />

the complaint. A copy <strong>of</strong> this report<br />

is also provided to the judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

and the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

120 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Appendix 3<br />

Continuing judicial education policy<br />

Guiding principles<br />

Pursuant to section 9(1) <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Officers Act 1986 the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong><br />

may organise and supervise an appropriate<br />

scheme for the induction, orientation<br />

and continuing education and training <strong>of</strong><br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers. The purpose <strong>of</strong> continuing<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional development for judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

is to:<br />

• enhance their pr<strong>of</strong>essional expertise<br />

• facilitate development <strong>of</strong> their judicial<br />

knowledge and skills, and<br />

• promote the pursuit <strong>of</strong> juristic<br />

excellence.<br />

National standard for judicial pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

development<br />

A national standard or benchmark for the<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> time that should be available for<br />

each member <strong>of</strong> the Australian judiciary<br />

for pr<strong>of</strong>essional development has been<br />

developed by the National <strong>Judicial</strong> College<br />

<strong>of</strong> Australia and endorsed by the Council<br />

<strong>of</strong> Chief Justices <strong>of</strong> Australia, chief judges,<br />

chief magistrates, the <strong>Judicial</strong> Conference<br />

<strong>of</strong> Australia, the Association <strong>of</strong> Australian<br />

Magistrates, and judicial education bodies<br />

throughout Australia:<br />

The standard, which was reviewed in late<br />

2010, is that each judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer should<br />

be able to spend at least five days each<br />

calendar year participating in pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

development activities relating to the<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer’s responsibilities.<br />

This standard need not be met in each<br />

year but can be met on the basis <strong>of</strong><br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional development activities<br />

engaged in over a period <strong>of</strong> three years.<br />

This standard can be met, in part, by<br />

self-directed pr<strong>of</strong>essional development.<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers should be released<br />

from court duties to enable them to<br />

meet this standard. However, judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficers should commit some private<br />

time to meet the standard.<br />

Services<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> is sensitive to the need<br />

to provide a range <strong>of</strong> education services to<br />

meet the differing needs <strong>of</strong> each court and<br />

individual judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

The scheme <strong>of</strong> continuing judicial<br />

education should be structured to be<br />

<strong>of</strong> benefit to all judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers in each<br />

jurisdiction and to address the differing<br />

needs <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers throughout the<br />

duration <strong>of</strong> their careers.<br />

Specifically, the education program should<br />

apply the <strong>Commission</strong>’s resources in the<br />

most effective delivery <strong>of</strong> services defined by<br />

content (law, procedure, management and<br />

administration, and judicial skills) and level<br />

<strong>of</strong> application (induction, update, experience<br />

exchange, specialisation and refresher).<br />

These services may include:<br />

1. inducting new appointees with<br />

comprehensive training and orientation<br />

2. updating all judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers on<br />

important recent changes in law,<br />

procedure and practice<br />

3. producing bench books for each court,<br />

with a process for regular updating<br />

4. publishing the <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers’ Bulletin<br />

on a regular basis to inform judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> current law and to promote<br />

the consideration <strong>of</strong> important judicial<br />

issues<br />

5. promoting the development <strong>of</strong> an<br />

improved scheme for indexing and<br />

accessing important judgments<br />

6. facilitating continuing judicial education<br />

through the exchange <strong>of</strong> experience and<br />

discussion <strong>of</strong> topical issues, convening<br />

meetings and discussion groups, and<br />

publishing articles and other papers<br />

7. providing refresher services to meet the<br />

needs <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

8. providing special education services<br />

to meet the needs <strong>of</strong> isolated judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficers both in the suburbs and<br />

country, and on circuit/rotation;<br />

specifically relating to improved access<br />

to legal information<br />

9. promoting the supply <strong>of</strong> computer<br />

support facilities and supplying<br />

appropriate training<br />

10. providing an extended range <strong>of</strong><br />

education services for the assistance<br />

<strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers, including<br />

interdisciplinary and extra-legal<br />

courses, where appropriate. The<br />

delivery <strong>of</strong> this scheme should<br />

integrate conference, publication and<br />

computer support services, in order to<br />

facilitate the access to and the use <strong>of</strong><br />

education services in an effective and<br />

convenient manner for judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

11. promoting and conducting the research<br />

and development <strong>of</strong> educational<br />

practices to enhance the effectiveness<br />

<strong>of</strong> continuing judicial education.<br />

Roles and responsibilities<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> has ultimate<br />

responsibility to define its policy and<br />

strategies in relation to the provision <strong>of</strong> the<br />

above-mentioned services and to determine<br />

the direction and the priority <strong>of</strong> all activity<br />

undertaken in the name <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

The Standing Advisory Committee on<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Education (which comprises the<br />

chairpersons <strong>of</strong> the Education Committees<br />

<strong>of</strong> each <strong>of</strong> the State’s courts, or their<br />

representatives) has responsibility to<br />

advise the <strong>Commission</strong> on matters <strong>of</strong><br />

continuing judicial education, to implement<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> policy and strategy and,<br />

where appropriate and as requested, to<br />

co-ordinate the activities <strong>of</strong> the respective<br />

Education Committees <strong>of</strong> each court.<br />

The Education Committees <strong>of</strong> each court,<br />

subject to the head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction, shall<br />

have responsibility to develop and manage<br />

the program <strong>of</strong> educational activities<br />

conducted by each court.<br />

The staff <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong> have the<br />

responsibility to advise and assist each<br />

<strong>of</strong> the above bodies, and to act on their<br />

instruction to administer and implement the<br />

continuing judicial education program.<br />

Evaluation<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> will evaluate the<br />

effectiveness <strong>of</strong> its program <strong>of</strong> continuing<br />

judicial education activities in order to:<br />

• ensure that it provides useful assistance<br />

and benefits to judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers in the<br />

performance <strong>of</strong> judicial duties, and<br />

• provide feedback to presenters to<br />

ensure their sessions meet the needs<br />

<strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

Feedback from judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers based on<br />

specified learning objectives is desirable for<br />

each educational activity. Input requested<br />

will include:<br />

• whether or not the learning objectives<br />

are met<br />

• the program’s usefulness and<br />

relevance<br />

• the appropriateness <strong>of</strong> the content <strong>of</strong><br />

sessions and materials<br />

• the delivery<br />

• suggest improvements for future<br />

programs, and<br />

• suggestions for themes or topics for<br />

future activities relevant to judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

Appendix 3 — Continuing judicial education policy 121


Appendices<br />

Appendix 4<br />

Committees<br />

Education Committees<br />

Education Committees for each court meet<br />

on a regular basis to discuss:<br />

• content and design <strong>of</strong> judicial<br />

education programs<br />

• evaluation results <strong>of</strong> judicial education<br />

programs, and<br />

• recommendations for change.<br />

The Standing Advisory Committee<br />

on <strong>Judicial</strong> Education comprises the<br />

chairpersons <strong>of</strong> the Education Committees<br />

<strong>of</strong> each <strong>of</strong> the State’s courts or their<br />

representatives. It advises the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

on matters <strong>of</strong> continuing judicial education,<br />

implements <strong>Commission</strong> policy and<br />

strategy, and, where appropriate and as<br />

requested, co-ordinates the activities <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Education Committees.<br />

The Education Director, Ms Ruth Windeler,<br />

convenes Education Committee and<br />

Standing Advisory Committee meetings,<br />

and provides pr<strong>of</strong>essional input to the<br />

committees.<br />

Standing Advisory Committee on<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Education<br />

• The Honourable Justice Basten, Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> Appeal, Supreme Court (Chair)<br />

• The Honourable Justice Walton,<br />

Industrial Relations <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• The Honourable Justice Biscoe, Land<br />

and Environment Court<br />

• His Honour Judge Nicholson SC,<br />

District Court<br />

• Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate<br />

Mottley, Local Court (until July 2010)<br />

• Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate<br />

Culver, Local Court (from July 2010)<br />

• Ms R Windeler (Convenor)<br />

Supreme Court Education Committee<br />

• The Honourable Justice Basten (Chair)<br />

• The Honourable Justice Campbell<br />

• The Honourable Justice Nicholas<br />

• The Honourable Justice Hislop<br />

• The Honourable Justice Hoeben AM<br />

RFD (Acting Chair, October 2010 –<br />

March 2011)<br />

• The Honourable Justice Johnson<br />

• The Honourable Justice Harrison<br />

• The Honourable Justice Fullerton<br />

• The Honourable Justice Schmidt<br />

• The Honourable Justice Garling RFD<br />

(from December 2010)<br />

• Ms M Greenwood, Chief Executive<br />

Officer, Supreme Court (until<br />

September 2010)<br />

• Mr P McKnight, Acting Chief Executive<br />

Officer, Supreme Court (from<br />

December 2010 – April 2011)<br />

• Ms L Murphy, Chief Executive Officer<br />

and Principal Registrar (from May 2011)<br />

• Ms R Windeler (Convenor)<br />

Industrial Relations <strong>Commission</strong><br />

Education Committee<br />

• The Honourable Justice Kavanagh (Chair)<br />

• The Honourable Justice Haylen<br />

• <strong>Commission</strong>er P Connor<br />

• <strong>Commission</strong>er I Tabbaa (from August<br />

2010)<br />

• Mr M Grimson, Industrial Registrar,<br />

Industrial Relations <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• Ms R Windeler (Convenor)<br />

Land and Environment Court Education<br />

Committee<br />

• The Honourable Justice Pain<br />

• The Honourable Justice Biscoe (Chair)<br />

• <strong>Commission</strong>er L Pearson<br />

• Ms J Gray, Registrar, Land and<br />

Environment Court<br />

• Ms R Windeler, (Convenor)<br />

District Court Education Committee<br />

• His Honour Judge Taylor AM RFD<br />

(Chair until August 2010)<br />

• Her Honour Judge Sidis<br />

• Her Honour Judge Ashford (Chair from<br />

August 2010)<br />

• His Honour Judge Woods QC<br />

• His Honour Judge Nicholson SC<br />

• Her Honour Judge Hock (from January<br />

2011)<br />

• His Honour Judge Berman SC (from<br />

January 2011)<br />

• Her Honour Judge Sweeney (until<br />

January 2011)<br />

• His Honour Judge Zahra SC<br />

• His Honour Judge Cogswell SC (until<br />

January 2011)<br />

• His Honour Judge Lakatos SC<br />

• His Honour Judge Elkaim SC<br />

• His Honour Judge Colefax SC (until<br />

January 2011 )<br />

• Her Honour Judge Wells SC (from<br />

January 2011)<br />

• Mr C Smith, <strong>Judicial</strong> Registrar<br />

• Ms R Windeler, (Convenor)<br />

Local Court Education Committee<br />

• Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate<br />

Mottley (Chair until July 2010)<br />

• Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate<br />

Culver (Chair from July 2010)<br />

• Magistrate Dr Brown (from April 2011)<br />

• Magistrate Dunlevy (from April 2011)<br />

• Her Honour Magistrate Fleming (until<br />

February 2011)<br />

• Her Honour Magistrate Freund<br />

• His Honour Magistrate Guy<br />

• His Honour Magistrate Heilpern<br />

• Her Honour Magistrate Huber<br />

• His Honour Magistrate Lerve<br />

• His Honour Magistrate Prowse (until<br />

November 2010)<br />

• Her Honour Magistrate Schurr<br />

• Ms A Passe De Silva, Policy Officer<br />

• Ms R Windeler, (Convenor)<br />

Ngara Yura Committee<br />

• The Honourable Justice Rothman AM<br />

(from July 2010)<br />

• His Honour Judge Norrish QC (Chair)<br />

• His Honour Judge Nicholson SC<br />

• Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate<br />

Mottley<br />

• His Honour Magistrate Dick<br />

• Her Honour Magistrate Hannam (until<br />

July 2010)<br />

• Mr T Chenery, Area Director, Greater<br />

<strong>South</strong>ern Sydney, Riverina, <strong>South</strong> East,<br />

Family Records, Aboriginal Affairs<br />

• Ms M Davis, Director, Indigenous Law<br />

Centre<br />

• Mr E Schmatt PSM, Chief Executive,<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• Ms R Windeler, (Convenor)<br />

• Mrs T Wright, Aboriginal Project Officer,<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

122 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Bench Book Committees<br />

The day-to-day work <strong>of</strong> revising the content<br />

<strong>of</strong> bench books is delegated to individual<br />

Bench Book Committees, acting on behalf<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book<br />

Committee<br />

• The Honourable Acting Justice Howie<br />

(Chair)<br />

• The Honourable Justice Johnson<br />

• His Honour Judge Berman SC (until<br />

16 December 2010)<br />

• The Honourable Justice Hulme SC<br />

• His Honour Judge Lakatos SC<br />

• Mr H Donnelly (Convenor)<br />

Civil Trials Bench Book Committee<br />

• The Honourable James Wood AO QC<br />

(Chair)<br />

• The Honourable Michael Campbell QC<br />

• The Honourable Justice Hoeben AM RFD<br />

• The Honourable Justice Hislop<br />

• His Honour Judge Johnstone<br />

• His Honour Judge Elkaim SC<br />

• His Honour Magistrate Heilpern (until<br />

1 November 2010)<br />

• The Honourable David Hunt AO QC<br />

• Mr E Schmatt PSM<br />

• Ms R Windeler<br />

• Ms F Findlay (Convenor until<br />

1 December 2010)<br />

• Ms Antonia Lomny (Convenor from<br />

9 March 2011)<br />

Local Courts Bench Book Committee<br />

• Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate<br />

Mottley (Chair until July 2011)<br />

• Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate<br />

Culver (Chair from 26 July 2011)<br />

• His Honour Magistrate Heilpern (until<br />

1 November 2010)<br />

• Her Honour Magistrate Freund (until<br />

14 February 2011)<br />

• Ms Alison Passe-de Silva, Policy<br />

Officer, Chief Magistrate’s Office (from<br />

13 September 2010)<br />

• Ms Roslyn Cook (Convenor)<br />

Equality before the Law Bench Book<br />

Committee<br />

• The Honourable Justice Beazley AO<br />

(Chair)<br />

• The Honourable Justice Basten<br />

• The Honourable Justice Rothman AM<br />

• His Honour Judge Norrish QC<br />

• Dr M Dodson AM<br />

• Dr J Cashmore AO<br />

• Mr E Schmatt PSM<br />

• Ms R Windeler<br />

• Ms K Lumley (Convenor)<br />

Sexual Assault Handbook Committee<br />

• His Honour Judge Ellis (Chair)<br />

• His Honour Judge Knox SC<br />

• Ms R Windeler<br />

• Ms K Lumley (Convenor)<br />

Audit and Risk Management Committee<br />

• Mr Peter Whitehead BA LLB TEP,<br />

appointed 5 August 2008, renewed<br />

1 July 2009 for two years. Mr Whitehead<br />

is the National Manager, Fiduciary<br />

Solutions, Perpetual and until 30 June<br />

2009, was the <strong>NSW</strong> Public Trustee.<br />

• Mr Alex Smith AM, appointed<br />

1 December 2009 for two years,<br />

is the former Deputy Director General,<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Premier and Cabinet,<br />

<strong>NSW</strong>. Mr Smith has had 40 years’<br />

experience in the <strong>NSW</strong> public sector<br />

having held senior positions in the<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Premier and Cabinet<br />

and the Department <strong>of</strong> Land and Water<br />

Conservation.<br />

• Mr Murali Sagi PSM, Director,<br />

Information Management and<br />

Corporate Services, <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

<strong>Commission</strong>. Mr Sagi’s qualifications<br />

and biography are found on p 80.<br />

Appendix 5<br />

Conference topics<br />

Annual Conferences<br />

Supreme Court Annual Conference,<br />

August 2010<br />

• “Keynote Address: Public Service and<br />

Private Law”, The Right Honourable<br />

Lord H<strong>of</strong>fmann<br />

• “Appellate Jurisdictions <strong>of</strong> the Court”,<br />

The Honourable Murray Gleeson AC QC<br />

• “Developments in Criminal Trials”, The<br />

Honourable Justice Robert A Hulme<br />

• “Developments in Equity: Easing into<br />

Easements”, Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Peter<br />

Butt, Sydney Law School, University<br />

<strong>of</strong> Sydney<br />

• “The Expert Debate: Setting the Limits<br />

on the Use <strong>of</strong> Expert Evidence”, The<br />

Right Honourable Sir Brian Leveson,<br />

Lord Justice <strong>of</strong> Appeal<br />

• “Regulating Banker Excess – An<br />

International Perspective”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

John Armour, Hogan Lovells Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Law and Finance, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law,<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Oxford<br />

• “Psychiatric Diseases, Brain Function<br />

and Diminished Responsibility”,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Max Bennett AO, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Neuroscience, University Chair,<br />

Director Brain and Mind Research<br />

Institute, University <strong>of</strong> Sydney<br />

• “A Less Taxing Process? Issues in<br />

Costs Assessment”, The Honourable<br />

Justice Paul Brereton AM RFD<br />

• “Development <strong>of</strong> the Brain”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Ian Hickie AM, Executive Director,<br />

Brain and Mind Research Institute and<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Psychiatry, University <strong>of</strong><br />

Sydney<br />

Industrial Relations <strong>Commission</strong><br />

Annual Conference, October 2010<br />

• “Workload and Case Management<br />

Update”, The Honourable Justice<br />

Walton, Vice President<br />

• “Reading Financial Statements: What<br />

to Look For/Unravelling the Mysteries<br />

<strong>of</strong> Financial Statements”, Mr Matthew<br />

Gwynne, Director – Forensic, Vincents<br />

Chartered Accountants<br />

• “Reliability <strong>of</strong> DSM-V Measurements<br />

and Protocols”, The Honourable Greg<br />

James QC, President, Mental Health<br />

Review Tribunal, and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Philip<br />

Mitchell AM, Scientia Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and<br />

Head, School <strong>of</strong> Psychiatry, U<strong>NSW</strong><br />

Appendix 5 — Conference topics 123


Appendices<br />

Appendix 5: Conference topics continued<br />

• “Delivering Ex Tempore Judgments”,<br />

The Honourable David Lloyd QC<br />

• “Section 146B Agreements — An<br />

Update”, The Honourable Justice<br />

Walton, Vice President<br />

• “Panels: Workload, Emerging Trends,<br />

Problems”<br />

• “Critical Reasoning: An Introduction”,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Douglas Lind, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />

Philosophy and Chair, Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Philosophy, University <strong>of</strong> Idaho, USA<br />

• “Expert Evidence”, The Honourable<br />

Justice Cliff Hoeben AM RFD, Supreme<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “An Alien Like You”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Fred<br />

Watson AM, Astronomer in Charge<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Australian Astronomical<br />

Observatory, Coonabarabran<br />

District Court Annual Conference, April<br />

2011<br />

• “Court <strong>of</strong> Appeal Review:<br />

Administrative Law”, The Honourable<br />

Justice John Basten, Court <strong>of</strong> Appeal,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Psychiatric Diseases, Brain Function<br />

and Diminished Responsibility”,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Max Bennett AO, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />

Neuroscience, University Chair, Director,<br />

Brain and Mind Research Institute,<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Sydney<br />

• “Current Issues in Sentencing”, Her<br />

Honour Judge Helen Murrell SC and<br />

His Honour Judge Peter Berman SC<br />

• “Simplifying Sentencing Laws”, The<br />

Honourable Justice Reg Blanch AM,<br />

Chief Judge<br />

• “Are We There Yet? — Using a Question<br />

Trail to Assist the Jury to Reach a<br />

Verdict”, Her Honour Judge Penelope<br />

Hock<br />

• “Aboriginal Youth Diversion Programs”,<br />

Mr Shane Phillips, CEO, Tribal Warrior<br />

Association and Superintendent Luke<br />

Freudenstein, Commander, Redfern<br />

Local Area Command<br />

• “Court <strong>of</strong> Criminal Appeal Review”, The<br />

Honourable Justice Derek Price AM,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Insolvent Parties”, Her Honour Judge<br />

Dianne Truss<br />

• “Care Proceedings and Appeals to the<br />

District Court”, His Honour Judge Mark<br />

Marien SC<br />

• “Service <strong>of</strong> Surveillance Evidence in<br />

Personal Injury Cases”, His Honour<br />

Judge Ross Letherbarrow SC<br />

• “Case Management Post Aon”, Her<br />

Honour Judge Margaret Sidis<br />

• “Child Witnesses”, His Honour<br />

Judge Paul Lakatos SC and Dr Judy<br />

Cashmore AO<br />

• “Reducing Recidivism Rates: What<br />

Works?”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor James Ogl<strong>of</strong>f,<br />

Monash University<br />

• “Everything You Wanted to Know but<br />

did not like to Ask”, The Honourable<br />

Justice Reg Blanch AM, His Honour<br />

Judge Ron Solomon, Her Honour<br />

Judge Dianne Truss and His Honour<br />

Judge Martin Blackmore SC<br />

Land and Environment Court Annual<br />

Conference, May 2011<br />

• “Update on Jurisdiction and Practice<br />

and Procedure”, The Honourable<br />

Justice Brian Preston, Chief Judge<br />

• “Practice, Procedure and Evidence in<br />

the Administrative Appeals Tribunal”,<br />

The Honourable Justice Garry Downes<br />

AM, President, Administrative Appeals<br />

Tribunal<br />

• “The Effect <strong>of</strong> Conditions <strong>of</strong><br />

Development Approval on Property<br />

Rights”, The Honourable Justice David<br />

Hodgson AO, <strong>NSW</strong> Court <strong>of</strong> Appeal<br />

• “The Impact <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal Cultural<br />

Heritage Issues on the Land<br />

and Environment Court”, Acting<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>er Larissa Behrendt<br />

• “Climate Change and Coastal<br />

Protection”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Zada Lipman,<br />

Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, School <strong>of</strong> Law,<br />

Macquarie University<br />

• “Practice, Procedure and Evidence in<br />

the Supreme Court Equity Division”,<br />

The Honourable Justice Patricia Bergin,<br />

Chief Judge in Equity, Supreme Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Alternative Dispute Resolution in<br />

Merits Matters”, <strong>Commission</strong>er<br />

Graham Brown, <strong>Commission</strong>er Sue<br />

Morris and Acting <strong>Commission</strong>er Craig<br />

Miller<br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Review: Grounds, Standards<br />

and Intensity <strong>of</strong> Review or ‘Who is<br />

Miss Behavin?’”, The Honourable<br />

Justice John Basten, Court <strong>of</strong> Appeal,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Values in the Law”, The Honourable<br />

Keith Mason AC QC, Visiting<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essorial Fellow, U<strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Criminal Law Update”, The Honourable<br />

Mr Justice Robert S Hulme, Supreme<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Why Planning Needs Design”,<br />

Ms Jan McCredie, Manager, Planning<br />

and Environmental Assessment, Worley<br />

Parsons<br />

• “The Land and Environment Court<br />

1985–1997: Reminiscences”, The<br />

Honourable Paul Stein AM QC<br />

Local Court Annual Conference, June<br />

2011<br />

• “Eyewitness Memory and Assessment<br />

<strong>of</strong> Credibility”, Dr Richard Kemp, Senior<br />

Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, School<br />

<strong>of</strong> Psychology, University <strong>of</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Wales</strong> and Dr Helen Paterson, Lecturer<br />

in Forensic Psychology, School <strong>of</strong><br />

Psychology, University <strong>of</strong> Sydney<br />

• “Ethics”, Dr Peter Melser, Manager,<br />

Ethics Services, St James Ethics Centre<br />

• “Criminal Law Update”, The<br />

Honourable Justice Robert A Hulme,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Chief Magistrate’s Address”, His Honour<br />

Judge Graeme Henson, Chief Magistrate<br />

• “Attorney General’s Address”, The<br />

Honourable Gregory Smith SC MP,<br />

Attorney General and Minister for Justice<br />

• “Civil Law Update”, Her Honour Judge<br />

Margaret Sidis, District Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “The Young Brain”, Dr Andrew Chanen,<br />

Senior Lecturer, Orygen Youth<br />

Health Research Centre, University<br />

<strong>of</strong> Melbourne and Consultant<br />

Psychologist and Associate Medical<br />

Director, Orygen Centre for Youth<br />

Mental Health, Northwestern Mental<br />

Health<br />

• “ The Ageing Brain — Part A: Ageing<br />

and Offending”, Dr Sharon Reutens,<br />

Lecturer (Conjoint), School <strong>of</strong><br />

Psychiatry, U<strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “The Ageing Brain — Part B: Healthy<br />

Ageing in Magistrates”, Associate<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Carmelle Peisah, School <strong>of</strong><br />

Psychiatry, U<strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Family Law”, The Honourable Justice<br />

Jan Stevenson, Family Court <strong>of</strong><br />

Australia<br />

124 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


• “The Parole Authority”, Mr Ian Pike<br />

AM, Chairperson, <strong>NSW</strong> State Parole<br />

Authority<br />

• “Tackling Depression”, Dr Robert<br />

Fisher, Head <strong>of</strong> Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Psychiatry and Psychological Services,<br />

St Vincent’s Private Hospital;<br />

Mrs Marie Jepson, Director, Tristan<br />

Jepson Memorial Foundation; and<br />

Ms Penny Johnston, Director, Care and<br />

Assistance, BarCare<br />

• “Stress Management and OH&S<br />

Issues”, Ms Jenny Kerr, Director,<br />

Incorporating Ergonomics<br />

• “Open Forum”, His Honour Judge<br />

Graeme Henson, Chief Magistrate;<br />

Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate<br />

Jane Mottley; and Her Honour Deputy<br />

Chief Magistrate Jane Culver<br />

OTHER CONFERENCES<br />

Youth, Drug and Alcohol Court<br />

Conference, July 2010<br />

• “Drug Use by Young People: Fact<br />

and Fiction”, Mr Paul Dillon, Drug and<br />

Alcohol Research and Training Australia<br />

• “Rehabilitation Programs for<br />

Adolescents: What Works?”, Dr Alex<br />

Wodak AM, Director, Alcohol and Drug<br />

Service, St Vincent’s Hospital<br />

• “The Court’s Inception and<br />

Development”, Her Honour Magistrate<br />

Hilary Hannam<br />

• “Roles <strong>of</strong> Community Service Funded<br />

Case Support Workers in YDAC”,<br />

Ms Nicky Weynen, Senior Project<br />

Officer, Community Services<br />

• “Music Programs for YDAC<br />

participants”, short film by freelance<br />

filmmaker Ms Hannah Bent<br />

• “Diversionary Programs for Responding<br />

to Substance Abuse in Indigenous<br />

Communities”, Mr Matthew Willis,<br />

Research Analyst, Australian Institute<br />

<strong>of</strong> Criminology<br />

Australasian Conference <strong>of</strong> Planning<br />

and Environment Courts and Tribunals,<br />

August 2010<br />

• “Keynote address”, The Honourable JJ<br />

Spigelman AC, Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Human Rights and the Environment”,<br />

The Honourable Catherine Branson QC,<br />

President, Australian Human Rights<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>; The Honourable Justice<br />

Kevin Bell, Judge <strong>of</strong> the Supreme<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> Victoria; and The Honourable<br />

Justice Hima Kohli, High Court <strong>of</strong> Delhi.<br />

Commentary by The Honourable Murray<br />

Wilcox AO QC, Chair, Environmental<br />

Defender’s Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Ethics and the Environment”,<br />

Dr Simon Longstaff, Executive Director<br />

<strong>of</strong> St James Ethics Centre, Sydney; The<br />

Honourable Keith Mason AC QC, Visiting<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essorial Fellow, University <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>;<br />

and The Honourable Jerrold Cripps QC<br />

• “The Internationalisation <strong>of</strong><br />

Environmental Law”, Mr Donald Kaniaru,<br />

Chairman, National Environment<br />

Tribunal <strong>of</strong> Kenya; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Vladimir<br />

Passos de Freitas; Mr Michael Gottheil,<br />

Executive Chair, Environment and Land<br />

Tribunals, Ontario; The Honourable<br />

Justice Hima Kohli, High Court <strong>of</strong><br />

Delhi; The Honourable Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr<br />

Paulus Lotulung, Deputy Chief Justice,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> the Republic <strong>of</strong><br />

Indonesia; The Honourable Justice<br />

Diosdado M Peralta, Supreme Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Philippines; Justice Angkana<br />

Sinkaseam, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong><br />

Thailand, Environmental Division; and<br />

The Honourable Merideth Wright,<br />

Environmental Judge, Vermont<br />

Environmental Court, USA<br />

• “Creating and Improving Environmental<br />

Courts and Tribunals”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

George Pring, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Law,<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Denver, Sturm College <strong>of</strong><br />

Law, Colorado, USA; and Mrs Catherine<br />

Pring, mediator and author<br />

• “Jurisdiction, Structure and Civil<br />

Practice and Procedure: <strong>New</strong><br />

Zealand, Queensland, Victoria and<br />

Tasmania”, His Honour Judge Michael<br />

Rackemann, Planning and Environment<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> Queensland; His Honour<br />

Judge Craig Thompson, Principal<br />

Environment Judge, Environment Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zealand; Ms Helen Gibson,<br />

Deputy President, Planning and<br />

Environment List, Victorian Civil and<br />

Administrative Tribunal; and<br />

Mr Simon Cooper, Chairman, Resource<br />

Management and Planning Appeals<br />

Tribunal, Tasmania<br />

• “Jurisdiction, Structure and Civil Practice<br />

and Procedure: <strong>South</strong> Australia, Western<br />

Australia and <strong>NSW</strong>”, Her Honour Judge<br />

Christine Trenorden, Environment,<br />

Resources and Development Court <strong>of</strong><br />

SA; The Honourable Justice Peter Biscoe,<br />

Land and Environment Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>;<br />

and Senior Member David Parry,<br />

Head, Development and Resources<br />

Stream, State Administrative Tribunal <strong>of</strong><br />

WA<br />

• “Criminal Trial Case Management:<br />

Recent Developments in <strong>NSW</strong>”, The<br />

Honourable Justice Megan Latham,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Planning Principles and Precedents in<br />

Merits Review”, <strong>Commission</strong>er Linda<br />

Pearson, Land and Environment Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>; Mr Laurie Hewet and<br />

Ms Jeanette Rickards, Victorian Civil<br />

and Administrative Tribunal<br />

• “Jurisdiction, Structure and Civil Practice<br />

and Procedure in Overseas Courts and<br />

Tribunals”, The Honourable Merideth<br />

Wright, Environmental Judge, Vermont<br />

Environmental Court, USA; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Vladimir Passos de Freitas; Mr Michael<br />

Gottheil, Chair, Environment and Land<br />

Tribunals, Ontario; The Honourable<br />

Justice Kailash Gambhir, High Court <strong>of</strong><br />

Delhi, India; The Honourable Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Dr Paulus Lotulung, Deputy Chief<br />

Justice, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> the Republic<br />

<strong>of</strong> Indonesia; Her Honour Judge Andriani<br />

Nurdin, High Court <strong>of</strong> Palembang;<br />

Mr Donald Kaniaru, Chairman, National<br />

Environment Tribunal <strong>of</strong> Kenya; The<br />

Honourable Justice Diosdado M Peralta,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> the Philippines;<br />

and The Honourable Justice Winai<br />

Ruangsri, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Thailand,<br />

Environmental Division<br />

• “Climate Change”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Andy<br />

Pitman, Co-director, Climate Change<br />

Research Centre, University <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

and Mr Evan Jones, Chair, Centre<br />

for the Built Environment and Health<br />

Advisory Board, University <strong>of</strong> WA<br />

• “The Regulation <strong>of</strong> Harm against the<br />

Environment”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Arie Freiberg<br />

AM, Dean <strong>of</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law,<br />

Monash University<br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Review in Environmental<br />

Proceedings”, Mr Mark Robinson,<br />

Barrister<br />

• “Planning for Bushfires”, Ms Rachel<br />

Naylor and Mr Ian Potts, Members,<br />

Planning and Environment List,<br />

Victorian Civil and Administrative<br />

Tribunal<br />

Appendix 5 — Conference topics 125


Appendices<br />

Appendix 5: Conference topics continued<br />

• “Alternative Dispute Resolution”, The<br />

Honourable Justice Terry Sheahan<br />

AO, Land and Environment Court <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>NSW</strong>; Senior Member David Parry,<br />

Head, Development and Resources<br />

Stream, State Administrative Tribunal<br />

<strong>of</strong> WA; His Honour Judge Michael<br />

Rackemann, Planning and Environment<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> Queensland; <strong>Commission</strong>er<br />

Ross Dunlop, Environment Court <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>New</strong> Zealand; and <strong>Commission</strong>er John<br />

Hodgson, Environment, Resources and<br />

Development Court <strong>of</strong> SA.<br />

Local Court <strong>South</strong>ern and Northern<br />

Regional Conferences, March 2011<br />

• “Closed Court and Non-publication<br />

Orders”, Her Honour Magistrate Julie<br />

Huber<br />

• “The <strong>New</strong> Fraud, Identity and Forgery<br />

Offences”, His Honour Magistrate Ian<br />

Guy<br />

• “Advanced Sentencing Exercises”,<br />

His Honour Magistrate David Heilpern<br />

and His Honour Magistrate Antony<br />

Townsden<br />

• “Fines”, His Honour Magistrate Les<br />

Mabbutt<br />

• “Credibility Rule under the Evidence<br />

Act”, Her Honour Deputy Chief<br />

Magistrate Jane Culver<br />

• “Sexual Assault Offences and Privilege<br />

under the Evidence Act”, Her Honour<br />

Magistrate Alison Viney<br />

• “Intensive Correction Orders – The<br />

Law”, Her Honour Deputy Chief<br />

Magistrate Jane Culver<br />

• “Intensive Correction Orders”,<br />

Ms Margaret Anderson, Director,<br />

Corporate Legislation and<br />

Parliamentary Support, Corrective<br />

Services <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Mental Health Issues”, His Honour<br />

Magistrate Garry Still<br />

• “RTA Truck Loading Cases”, His<br />

Honour Magistrate Rob Rabbidge<br />

• “Coronial Session”, Her Honour<br />

Magistrate Mary Jerram, State Coroner<br />

and His Honour Magistrate Hugh<br />

Dillon, Deputy State Coroner<br />

• “Recent Developments in Care and<br />

Criminal Jurisdictions <strong>of</strong> the Children’s<br />

Court”, His Honour Judge Mark Marien<br />

SC, President, Children’s Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “The Hunter Drug Court”, His Honour<br />

Judge Roger Dive, District Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

(Northern Regional Conference only)<br />

Children’s Court Section 16<br />

Conference, September 2010<br />

• “Wood Reforms to ADR Procedures”,<br />

Ms Rosemary Davidson<br />

• “Programme for Adolescent Life<br />

Management (PALM)”, Mr Ronan<br />

O’Connor and Mr Michael Kirton<br />

• “Interactive Session — Issues in Care<br />

and Crime”<br />

• “Unacceptable Risk <strong>of</strong> Harm”, The<br />

Honourable Richard Chisholm<br />

• “Youth Justice Conferencing”, Her<br />

Honour Magistrate Jo Keogh and<br />

Ms Jenny Bargen<br />

Children’s Court Section 16<br />

Conference, February 2011<br />

• “The <strong>New</strong> ADR Model”, Her Honour<br />

Magistrate Sue Duncombe; Ms Nicola<br />

Callander, Senior Children’s Registrar;<br />

and Ms Linda Fisher, Bidura Mediation<br />

Pilot<br />

• “The <strong>New</strong> ADR Model: Techniques<br />

Used in Court”, His Honour Magistrate<br />

Terry Murphy PSM<br />

• “Recent Developments in Criminal Law<br />

including Bail”, His Honour Magistrate<br />

Paul Mulroney<br />

• “Sentencing Serious Offenders (including<br />

sexual <strong>of</strong>fences, aggravated break<br />

and enters, aggravated robberies and<br />

<strong>of</strong>fenders with long criminal records)”,<br />

Her Honour Magistrate Joan Baptie and<br />

Her Honour Magistrate Jo Keogh<br />

Orientation Programs<br />

National <strong>Judicial</strong> Orientation Program,<br />

October 2010 (joint program with NJCA<br />

and AIJA)<br />

• “Familiarisation”, Ms Ruth Windeler,<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Conduct in and out <strong>of</strong> Court”,<br />

The Honourable Wayne Martin, Chief<br />

Justice, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Western<br />

Australia and The Honourable Justice<br />

Debra Mullins, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong><br />

Queensland<br />

• “Maintaining Psychological and<br />

Physical Health”, His Honour Chief<br />

Judge Michael Rozenes AO QC,<br />

County Court <strong>of</strong> Victoria; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Trevor Waring AM, Psychologist; and<br />

Ms Karen Inge, Dietitian, Institute <strong>of</strong><br />

Health and Fitness, VIC<br />

• “Unconscious <strong>Judicial</strong> Prejudice”, The<br />

Honourable Keith Mason AC QC<br />

• “Court Room Control and<br />

Communication”, Mr David and<br />

Ms Annie McCubbin, Relationship and<br />

Communication Consultants; and His<br />

Honour Judge Ge<strong>of</strong>f Muecke, District<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> SA<br />

• “Court Craft — The Trial from Hell”,<br />

The Honourable Justice John Byrne,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Queensland and<br />

The Honourable Justice Debra Mullins,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Queensland<br />

• “Judgment Writing”, The Honourable<br />

Justice Linda Dessau AM, Family Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> Australia and The Honourable Tom<br />

Wodak and<br />

• “Assessing the Credibility <strong>of</strong><br />

Witnesses”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Neil Brewer,<br />

Flinders University <strong>South</strong> Australia,<br />

and The Honourable Justice John<br />

McKechnie, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> WA<br />

• “Interpreters”, Mr Paul Hellander, SA<br />

Interpreting and Translating Centre<br />

• “Cultural Barriers in the Court Room”,<br />

Ms Maria Dimopoulos, Myriad<br />

Consultants<br />

• “Litigants in Person”, His Honour Chief<br />

Judge Terry Worthington, District Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> SA<br />

• “Expert Evidence”, The Honourable<br />

Justice Cliff Hoeben AM RFD, Supreme<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Sentencing”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Kate Warner,<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Tasmania and The<br />

Honourable Justice Terry Buddin,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Case Management”, The Honourable<br />

Justice Michael Barker, Federal Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

National <strong>Judicial</strong> Orientation Program,<br />

April 2011 (joint program with NJCA<br />

and AIJA)<br />

• “Familiarisation”, Ms Ruth Windeler,<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Conduct in and out <strong>of</strong> Court”,<br />

The Honourable Wayne Martin, Chief<br />

Justice, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Western<br />

Australia, and The Honourable John<br />

Doyle AC, Chief Justice, Supreme<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>South</strong> Australia<br />

126 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


• “Maintaining Psychological and<br />

Physical Health”, Chief Judge Michael<br />

Rozenes AO QC, County Court <strong>of</strong><br />

Victoria; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Trevor Waring AM,<br />

Psychologist, University <strong>of</strong> <strong>New</strong>castle<br />

<strong>NSW</strong>; and Ms Karen Inge, Dietician,<br />

Institute <strong>of</strong> Health and Fitness VIC<br />

• “Unconscious <strong>Judicial</strong> Prejudice”,<br />

The Honourable Keith Mason AC QC,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essorial Fellow University <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Assessing the Credibility <strong>of</strong><br />

Witnesses”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Neil Brewer,<br />

Psychologist, Flinders University, SA<br />

and The Honourable Justice John<br />

McKechnie, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> WA<br />

• “Court Craft — The Trial from Hell”, The<br />

Honourable Justice John Byrne and<br />

The Honourable Justice Debra Mullins,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Queensland<br />

• “Judgment Writing”, The Honourable<br />

Justice Linda Dessau AM, Family Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> Australia and The Honourable Tom<br />

Wodak<br />

• “Interpreters”, Mr Paul Hellander,<br />

Government Interpreting and<br />

Translating Centre, SA<br />

• “Courtroom Control and<br />

Communication”, Mr David and<br />

Ms Annie McCubbin, Coup<br />

Relationship and Communication<br />

Consultants <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Litigants in Person”, His Honour Chief<br />

Judge Terry Worthington, District Court<br />

<strong>of</strong> SA<br />

• “Cultural Barriers in the Courtroom”,<br />

Ms Maria Dimopoulos, Myriad<br />

Consultants, VIC<br />

• “Time Management for Judges”,<br />

Mr Humphrey Armstrong, Australian<br />

Graduate School <strong>of</strong> Management,<br />

Sydney and The Honourable Justice<br />

Julie Ward, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• “Sentencing and Discretionary<br />

Judgments”, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Arie Freiberg<br />

AM, Dean, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law, Monash<br />

University and The Honourable Justice<br />

Terry Buddin, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

Magistrates’ Orientation Program,<br />

November 2010<br />

• “Orientation”, Ms Ruth Windeler<br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Attributes”, His Honour<br />

Magistrate David Heilpern<br />

• “Boiling the Frog”, Her Honour Deputy<br />

Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley<br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Attitudes”, His Honour<br />

Magistrate David Heilpern<br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Practice”, Her Honour Deputy<br />

Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley<br />

• “Self Represented Litigants”, His<br />

Honour Magistrate Ian Guy<br />

• “Sentencing Principles”, Her Honour<br />

Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane Culver<br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Communication”, Ms Ruth<br />

Windeler<br />

• “Decision Making/Judgments”, His<br />

Honour Magistrate Hugh Dillon<br />

• “Ex Tempore Judgments”, His Honour<br />

Magistrate Hugh Dillon<br />

• “Bail”, Her Honour Deputy Chief<br />

Magistrate Jane Mottley<br />

• “Sentencing Exercise 1”, His Honour<br />

Magistrate David Heilpern<br />

• “Court Craft in Practice”, Her Honour<br />

Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane<br />

Culver and Her Honour Deputy Chief<br />

Magistrate Jane Mottley, His Honour<br />

Magistrate David Heilpern, His Honour<br />

Magistrate Ian Guy and Ms Ruth<br />

Windeler<br />

• “Mutual Observation”, Her Honour<br />

Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley<br />

• “Commonwealth Sentencing”, His<br />

Honour Magistrate Ian Guy<br />

• “Managing Child Witnesses”, Dr Judy<br />

Cashmore AO<br />

• “Computer Tips and Tricks”, Ms Joy<br />

Blunt<br />

• “Sentencing Exercise 2”, His Honour<br />

Magistrate David Heilpern and His<br />

Honour Magistrate Ian Guy<br />

• “Stress Management”, His Honour<br />

Magistrate David Heilpern<br />

• “Sentencing Exercise 3”, His Honour<br />

Magistrate David Heilpern and His<br />

Honour Magistrate Ian Guy<br />

• “Concluding Remarks”, Her Honour<br />

Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley<br />

• “Everything You Wanted to Know<br />

but Were Afraid to Ask”, Her Honour<br />

Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley<br />

Appendix 6<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> education seminars, workshops and field trips<br />

Supreme Court Seminar Series<br />

• “Working Effectively with Interpreters in<br />

the Court”, Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sandra<br />

Hale, Leader <strong>of</strong> the Interpreting and<br />

Translation Research Group, University<br />

<strong>of</strong> Western Sydney, Twilight Seminar,<br />

15 September 2010<br />

Industrial Relations <strong>Commission</strong><br />

Seminar Series<br />

• “GREAT — An Overview <strong>of</strong> the Operation<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Act”, Acting <strong>Commission</strong>er<br />

Mark Oakman, former Chairperson <strong>of</strong><br />

GREAT; Ms Elaine Brus; and Ms Patricia<br />

Lowson, Twilight Seminar, 8 July 2010<br />

• “An Overview <strong>of</strong> Library Services to<br />

Assist <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers”, Ms Miranda<br />

Ebenezer, Industrial Relations<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> Librarian; Ms Vanessa<br />

Blackmore, Manager, Client Services,<br />

AGD Law Libraries; and Mr Murali Sagi<br />

PSM, Information Management and<br />

Corporate Services, Twilight Seminar,<br />

2 September 2010<br />

• “JIRS and OH&S”, Mr Murali Sagi<br />

PSM, <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>,<br />

Occasional Seminar, 9 May 2011<br />

Land and Environment Court Series<br />

• “Update on Procedural Fairness in<br />

Merits Review Hearings”, Ms Narelle<br />

Bell, Senior Member, Administrative<br />

Appeals Tribunal, Twilight Seminar,<br />

24 August 2010<br />

• “Assessing the Credibility <strong>of</strong><br />

Witnesses”, The Honourable Acting<br />

Justice Graham Barr, Twilight Seminar,<br />

26 October 2010<br />

• “Introduction to Online Research”,<br />

Ms Anna Clifton, Librarian, Land and<br />

Environment Court, Twilight Seminar,<br />

16 November 2010<br />

Appendix 6 — <strong>Judicial</strong> education seminars, workshops and field trips 127


Appendices<br />

Appendix 6: <strong>Judicial</strong> education seminars, workshops and field trips continued<br />

• “Noise 101”, Mr Louis Challis<br />

AM, Managing Director <strong>of</strong> Challis<br />

Consulting Pty Ltd, Twilight Seminar,<br />

2 March 2011<br />

• “Biobanking”, Mr Tom Grosskopf,<br />

Director, Landscapes and Ecosystems<br />

Conservation, Office <strong>of</strong> Environment and<br />

Heritage, Department <strong>of</strong> Premier and<br />

Cabinet, Twilight Seminar, 13 April 2011<br />

• “Assessing Competing Expert<br />

Evidence”, The Honourable Justice<br />

Peter McClellan AM, Chief Judge at<br />

Common Law, Twilight Seminar,<br />

15 June 2011<br />

District Court Seminar Series<br />

• “Current Issues in Sentencing”, Her<br />

Honour Judge Helen Murrell SC, His<br />

Honour Judge Stephen Norrish QC and<br />

His Honour Judge Peter Berman SC,<br />

Twilight Seminar, 24 November 2010<br />

• “Classification and Placement <strong>of</strong><br />

Prisoners”, Mr Terry Halloran, Executive<br />

Director, Offender Case Management<br />

and Classification, Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Corrective Services, Twilight Seminar,<br />

8 March 2011<br />

• “Community Justice Project”, Mr Matt<br />

Frize, Team Leader and Ms Natalie<br />

Namone, Director, Community Justice<br />

Program, Office <strong>of</strong> the Senior Practitioner,<br />

Ageing Disability & Home Care, <strong>NSW</strong><br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Family and Community<br />

Services, Twilight Seminar, 17 May 2001<br />

Local Court<br />

• “Civil Procedure”, their Honours<br />

Magistrates David Heilpern, Graeme<br />

Curran and Sharon Freund, Twilight<br />

Seminar, 25 August 2010<br />

Cross Jurisdictional<br />

• “Classification and Placement <strong>of</strong><br />

Prisoners”, Mr Terry Halloran, Executive<br />

Director, Offender Case Management<br />

and Classification, Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Corrective Services, Twilight Seminar,<br />

10 August 2010<br />

• “The Uses and Abuses <strong>of</strong> Expert<br />

Evidence”, The Honourable Justice<br />

Ian Binnie, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Canada,<br />

Twilight Seminar, 18 November 2010<br />

• “Criminal Case Management”, The<br />

Honourable Justice Peter McClellan<br />

AM, Chief Judge at Common Law; The<br />

Honourable Justice Cliff Hoeben AM<br />

RFD; The Honourable Justice Megan<br />

Latham; The Honourable Justice<br />

Robert A Hulme; and The Honourable<br />

Justice Reg Blanch AM, Chief Judge,<br />

Twilight Seminar, 16 June 2011<br />

Ngara Yura program<br />

• “Community Visit: Balund-a, Tabulum<br />

and Lismore”, 26–27 February 2011<br />

• “The Power <strong>of</strong> Sorry”, Mr Chris<br />

Wheeler, <strong>NSW</strong> Deputy Ombudsman,<br />

Twilight Seminar, 16 February 2011<br />

Field Trips<br />

• “Field Trip for Judges <strong>of</strong> the Supreme<br />

Court to <strong>NSW</strong> Police Service<br />

Telecommunication Interception<br />

Branch and the State Electronic<br />

Evidence Branch”; Commander<br />

Arthur Kopsias, Telecommunications<br />

Interception Branch; Commander<br />

Jeffrey Conly, State Electronic<br />

Evidence Branch; Sergeant Ken<br />

Aldham, Telecommunications<br />

Interception Branch; and Sergeant<br />

Andrew Wilson, State Surveillance<br />

Branch, 24 May 2011<br />

• “Field Trip to the Forensic Hospital,<br />

Malabar”, Ms Julie Babineau, Chief<br />

Executive, Justice Health; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Karin Lines, Executive Director,<br />

Adolescent Health, Drug & Alcohol<br />

and Mental Health Services, <strong>NSW</strong><br />

Justice Health; Dr Adrian Keller, Clinical<br />

Director, Forensic Hospital; Dr John<br />

Basson, Statewide Clinical Director,<br />

Forensic Mental Health, <strong>NSW</strong> Justice<br />

Health; Mr Anderson Miller, General<br />

Manager, Forensic Hospital; and<br />

Ms Kelly Yates, Senior Nurse, Forensic<br />

Hospital, 8 June 2011<br />

Appendix 7<br />

Articles published by the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• Justice Patricia Bergin and Justice Peter<br />

McClellan AM, “The Civil Procedure<br />

Act 2005 and Uniform Civil Procedure<br />

Rules 2005: have they lived up to<br />

expectations?” (2010) 22 (8) JOB 61<br />

• Justice Ian Binnie, “Wrongful<br />

convictions and the magical aura <strong>of</strong><br />

science in the courtroom” (2011) 10 (2)<br />

TJR 141<br />

• Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE, “Why be a<br />

judge?” (2011) 23 (5) JOB 37<br />

• Mr Nicholas Cowdery AM QC,<br />

“Reflections on the role <strong>of</strong> the DPP”<br />

(2011) 23 (3) JOB 19<br />

• Criminal Law Review Division,<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Justice and Attorney<br />

General, “Commencement <strong>of</strong> the Crimes<br />

(Sentencing Procedure) Amendment Act<br />

2010” (2011) 23 (2) JOB 11<br />

• The Hon Robert French AC, “<strong>Judicial</strong><br />

activism — the boundaries <strong>of</strong> the<br />

judicial role” (2010) 10 (1) TJR 1<br />

• Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sandra Hale, “The<br />

need to raise the bar: court interpreters<br />

as specialised experts” (2011) 10 (2)<br />

TJR 237<br />

• The Hon Acting Justice K R Handley<br />

AO, “Further thoughts on proprietary<br />

estoppel” (2010) 10 (1) TJR 61<br />

• The Hon John Hatzistergos, “Intensive<br />

Correction Orders: a new sentencing<br />

option commences” (2010) 22 (9) JOB 71<br />

• Judge Graeme Henson, “Twenty-five<br />

years <strong>of</strong> the Local Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>”<br />

(2010) 22 (6) JOB 45<br />

• Justice Peter Johnson, “Admitting<br />

evidence <strong>of</strong> uncharged sexual acts in<br />

sexual assault proceedings” (2010) 22<br />

(10) JOB 79<br />

• <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>, “A<br />

tribute to the Honourable JJ Spigelman<br />

AC QC” (2011) 23 (5) JOB 40<br />

• Mr Bruce Kercher, “Recovering colonial<br />

law reports” (2010) 22 (11) JOB 87<br />

128 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


• Lord Justice Brian Leveson, “The<br />

expert debate: setting the limits on the<br />

use <strong>of</strong> expert evidence” (2011) 10 (2)<br />

TJR 119<br />

• The Hon B R Martin, “Beyond<br />

reasonable doubt” (2010) 10 (1) TJR 83<br />

• The Hon Keith Mason AC QC, “Ethics<br />

and the environment” (2011) 10 (2)<br />

TJR 187<br />

• Lord Neuberger <strong>of</strong> Abbotsbury,<br />

“Thoughts on the law <strong>of</strong> equitable<br />

estoppel” (2010) 10 (1) TJR 37<br />

• Judge Stephen Norrish QC and<br />

Ms Ruth Sheard, “A journey to respect”<br />

(2010) 22 (7) JOB 53<br />

• Judge Stephen Norrish QC, “Listening,<br />

learning and leading: the work <strong>of</strong> the Ngara<br />

Yura Committee” (2011) 23 (1) JOB 1<br />

• Justice Steven Rares, “Using the ‘hot<br />

tub’: how concurrent expert evidence<br />

aids understanding <strong>of</strong> issues” (2011) 10<br />

(2) TJR 171<br />

• Acting Justice Ronald Sackville<br />

AO, “Access to justice: towards an<br />

integrated approach” (2011) 10 (2) TJR<br />

221<br />

• Justice Monika Schmidt, “Sentencing<br />

corporate <strong>of</strong>fenders: conundrums and<br />

areas <strong>of</strong> potential law reform” (2011)<br />

10 (2) TJR 201<br />

• Dr Rita Shackel, “Overcoming<br />

misconceptions in the courtroom on<br />

how children disclose sexual abuse”<br />

(2011) 23 (4) JOB 29<br />

• The Hon J J Spigelman AC, “The<br />

centrality <strong>of</strong> jurisdictional error” (2010)<br />

10 (1) TJR 11<br />

• The Hon M Warren AC, “Should judges<br />

be mediators?” (2010) 10 (1) TJR 69<br />

TJR – The <strong>Judicial</strong> Review<br />

JOB – <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers’ Bulletin<br />

Appendix 8<br />

Publications list<br />

Many <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong>’s publications<br />

are available to download from the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>’s website at www.judcom.nsw.<br />

gov.au. All <strong>Commission</strong> publications can be<br />

purchased through the <strong>NSW</strong> Government’s<br />

online shop at www.shop.nsw.gov.au.<br />

Education Monographs<br />

1. Fragile Bastion: <strong>Judicial</strong> independence<br />

in the nineties and beyond, 1997<br />

2. A Matter <strong>of</strong> Judgment: <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

decision-making and judgment writing,<br />

2003<br />

3. The Role <strong>of</strong> the Judge, 2004<br />

4. Statutory Interpretation: Principles and<br />

pragmatism for a new age, 2007<br />

Research Monographs<br />

1. The use <strong>of</strong> custodial sentences and<br />

alternatives to custody by <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Wales</strong> magistrates, 1990 (available only<br />

as a photocopy)<br />

2. Community service orders: Views <strong>of</strong><br />

organisers in <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong>, 1991<br />

3. Community service orders and periodic<br />

detention as sentencing options: A<br />

survey <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers in <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Wales</strong>, 1991<br />

4. Sentencing juvenile <strong>of</strong>fenders and the<br />

Sentencing Act 1989 (<strong>NSW</strong>): The impact<br />

<strong>of</strong> legislative and administrative changes<br />

in the Children’s Court 1982–1990, 1991<br />

5. A critical review <strong>of</strong> periodic detention in<br />

<strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong>, 1992<br />

6. Sentencing drug <strong>of</strong>fenders: Analysis <strong>of</strong><br />

sentences imposed in the higher courts<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong>, 25 September<br />

1989–31 December 1991, 1992<br />

7. “Special circumstances” under the<br />

Sentencing Act 1989 (<strong>NSW</strong>), 1993<br />

8. Alcohol as a sentencing factor: A<br />

survey <strong>of</strong> attitudes <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers,<br />

1994<br />

9. Sentence Indication Hearings Pilot<br />

Scheme, 1994<br />

10. Sentenced homicides in <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Wales</strong> 1990–1993, 1995<br />

11. The evidence <strong>of</strong> children, 1995<br />

12. <strong>Judicial</strong> views about pre-sentence<br />

reports, 1995<br />

13. The Sentencing Act 1989 and its effect<br />

on the size <strong>of</strong> the prison population,<br />

1996<br />

14. Magistrates’ attitudes to drink-driving,<br />

drug-driving and speeding, 1997<br />

15. Child sexual assault, 1997<br />

16. Sentencing disparity and the gender <strong>of</strong><br />

juvenile <strong>of</strong>fenders, 1997<br />

17. Sentencing disparity and the ethnicity<br />

<strong>of</strong> juvenile <strong>of</strong>fenders, 1998<br />

18. Periodic detention revisited, 1998<br />

19. Sentencing drug <strong>of</strong>fenders: Analysis<br />

<strong>of</strong> sentences imposed in the higher<br />

courts <strong>of</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong>, 1 January<br />

1992–31 December 1997, 1999<br />

20. Apprehended Violence Orders: A<br />

Survey <strong>of</strong> Magistrates, 1999<br />

21. Sentencing dangerous drivers in <strong>New</strong><br />

<strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong>: Impact <strong>of</strong> the Jurisic<br />

guidelines on sentencing practice, 2002<br />

22. Circle sentencing in <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong>:<br />

A review and evaluation, 2003<br />

23. Sentenced homicides in <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Wales</strong> 1994–2001, 2004<br />

24. MERIT — A survey <strong>of</strong> magistrates, 2004<br />

25. Sentencing <strong>of</strong>fenders convicted <strong>of</strong><br />

child sexual assault, 2004<br />

26. The nexus between sentencing and<br />

rehabilitation in the Children’s Court <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>NSW</strong>, 2005<br />

27. Crown appeals against sentence, 2005<br />

28. Partial defences to murder in <strong>NSW</strong><br />

1990-2004, 2006<br />

29. Full-time imprisonment in <strong>NSW</strong> and<br />

other jurisdictions: A national and<br />

international comparison, 2007<br />

30. Sentencing robbery <strong>of</strong>fenders since the<br />

Henry guideline judgment, 2007<br />

31. Diverting mentally disordered <strong>of</strong>fenders<br />

in the <strong>NSW</strong> Local Court, 2008<br />

32. Achieving consistency and<br />

transparency in sentencing for<br />

environmental <strong>of</strong>fences, 2008<br />

33. The impact <strong>of</strong> the standard nonparole<br />

period sentencing scheme on<br />

sentencing patterns in <strong>NSW</strong>, 2010<br />

34. Sentencing <strong>of</strong>fenders convicted <strong>of</strong><br />

child pornography and child abuse<br />

material <strong>of</strong>fences, 2010<br />

35. Conviction appeals in <strong>NSW</strong>, 2011<br />

Appendix 8 — Publications list 129


Appendices<br />

Appendix 8: Publications list continued<br />

Sentencing Trends and Issues<br />

1. The Children’s Court, March 1991<br />

2. The impact <strong>of</strong> truth in sentencing: Part 1,<br />

The higher courts, March 1992<br />

3. The impact <strong>of</strong> truth in sentencing: Part 2,<br />

The Local Courts, June 1992<br />

4. Sentencing in the Court <strong>of</strong> Criminal<br />

Appeal, February 1993<br />

5. Common <strong>of</strong>fences in the Local Courts,<br />

March 1994<br />

6. Common <strong>of</strong>fences in the higher courts,<br />

July 1994<br />

7. Sentencing homicide: The effect <strong>of</strong><br />

legislative changes on the penalty for<br />

murder, June 1994<br />

8. From Murder to Manslaughter: Partial<br />

defences in <strong>NSW</strong> — 1900 to 1993,<br />

December, 1994<br />

9. Common Offences in the Children’s<br />

Court, May 1995<br />

10. Sentencing Drink–driving Offenders,<br />

June 1995<br />

11. “Sentenced to the rising <strong>of</strong> the court”,<br />

January 1996<br />

12. The use <strong>of</strong> recognizances, May 1996<br />

13. Sentencing deception <strong>of</strong>fenders —<br />

Part 1, The Local Courts, June 1996<br />

14. Sentencing deception <strong>of</strong>fenders —<br />

Part 2, The higher courts, October 1996<br />

15. Driving causing death: Section 52A <strong>of</strong><br />

the Crimes Act 1900, May 1997<br />

16. An overview <strong>of</strong> sentence and<br />

conviction appeals in the <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Wales</strong> Court <strong>of</strong> Criminal Appeal, March<br />

1998<br />

17. Kidnapping — Section 90A Crimes Act<br />

1900 (<strong>NSW</strong>), July 1998<br />

18. Common <strong>of</strong>fences in the higher courts<br />

1990–1997, August 1998<br />

19. Sentencing <strong>of</strong>fenders in the Local<br />

Courts — Effects <strong>of</strong> the Criminal<br />

Procedure (Indictable Offenders) Act<br />

1995, February 2000<br />

20. Sentencing female <strong>of</strong>fenders in <strong>New</strong><br />

<strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong>, May 2000<br />

21. Protective custody and hardship in<br />

prison, February 2001<br />

22. Conviction and sentence appeals in<br />

the <strong>NSW</strong> Court <strong>of</strong> Criminal Appeal<br />

1996–2000, February 2002<br />

23. Sentencing mentally disordered<br />

<strong>of</strong>fenders: The causal link, September<br />

2002<br />

24. Bail: An examination <strong>of</strong> contemporary<br />

issues, November 2002<br />

25. Sentencing methodology: Two-tiered or<br />

instinctive synthesis?, December 2002<br />

26. Sentencing trends for armed robbery<br />

and robbery in company: The impact<br />

<strong>of</strong> the guideline in R v Henry, February<br />

2003<br />

27. Sentencing drink-driving <strong>of</strong>fenders in<br />

the <strong>NSW</strong> Local Courts, March 2003<br />

28. Common <strong>of</strong>fences in the Local Courts<br />

2002, September 2003<br />

29. Suspended sentences in <strong>NSW</strong>,<br />

November 2003<br />

30. Common <strong>of</strong>fences and the use <strong>of</strong><br />

imprisonment in the District and<br />

Supreme Courts in 2002, March 2004<br />

31. The use and limitations <strong>of</strong> sentencing<br />

statistics, December 2004<br />

32. Pre-sentence custody and other<br />

constraints on liberty, May 2005<br />

33. Successful completion rates for<br />

supervised sentencing options, June<br />

2005<br />

34. Trends in the use <strong>of</strong> s 12 suspended<br />

sentences, June 2005<br />

35. Impact <strong>of</strong> the high range PCA guideline<br />

judgment on sentencing drink drivers in<br />

<strong>NSW</strong>, September 2005<br />

36. Trends in the use <strong>of</strong> full-time<br />

imprisonment 2006–2007, November<br />

2007<br />

37. Common <strong>of</strong>fences in the <strong>NSW</strong> Local<br />

Court: 2007, November 2008<br />

38. Sentencing in complicity cases — Part 1:<br />

Joint criminal enterprise, June 2009<br />

39. Sentencing in complicity cases —<br />

Abettors, accessories and other<br />

secondary participants (Part 2),<br />

February 2010<br />

Journals<br />

• <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers’ Bulletin (Vols 1–23)<br />

• The <strong>Judicial</strong> Review (Vols 1–10)<br />

Bench Books<br />

• Civil Trials Bench Book<br />

• Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book<br />

• District Court Judges’ Civil Guidelines<br />

• Equality before the Law Bench Book<br />

• Land and Environment Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

<strong>Commission</strong>ers’ Handbook (online<br />

only)<br />

• Local Court Bench Book<br />

• Sentencing Bench Book<br />

• Sexual Assault Handbook (online only)<br />

Brochures<br />

• Complaints against judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

• Disabilities information<br />

• From controversy to credibility: 20 years<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• <strong>Judicial</strong> Information Research System<br />

• <strong>Judicial</strong> Information Research System:<br />

An invitation to subscribe<br />

• Presentation pointers: Getting started<br />

and getting through your presentation<br />

• Pro bono schemes in <strong>NSW</strong><br />

DVDs<br />

• The Role <strong>of</strong> the Judge<br />

• Concurrent evidence: <strong>New</strong> methods<br />

with experts (also accessible online)<br />

• Circle Sentencing in <strong>NSW</strong> (also<br />

accessible online)<br />

130 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Appendix 9<br />

Ngara Yura program<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> is committed to<br />

promoting Aboriginal Cultural Awareness.<br />

We established a program in 1992 which<br />

was renamed the Ngara Yura program in<br />

2008. This program is designed to inform<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers about Aboriginal society,<br />

customs and traditions and promote an<br />

exchange <strong>of</strong> ideas and information. It is<br />

based on Recommendations 96 and 97<br />

(reproduced here) <strong>of</strong> the Royal <strong>Commission</strong><br />

into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, National<br />

Report, 1991, Vol 5, Australian Government<br />

Printing Service, Canberra.<br />

“Recommendation 96:<br />

That judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers and persons who work<br />

in the court service and in the probation<br />

and parole services and whose duties bring<br />

them into contact with Aboriginal people be<br />

encouraged to participate in an appropriate<br />

training and development program,<br />

designed to explain contemporary Aboriginal<br />

society, customs and traditions. Such<br />

programs should emphasise the historical<br />

and social factors which contribute to the<br />

disadvantaged position <strong>of</strong> many Aboriginal<br />

people today and to the nature <strong>of</strong> relations<br />

between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal<br />

communities today. The <strong>Commission</strong> further<br />

recommends that such persons should<br />

wherever possible participate in discussion<br />

with members <strong>of</strong> the Aboriginal community<br />

in an informal way in order to improve crosscultural<br />

understanding.”<br />

“Recommendation 97:<br />

That in devising and implementing courses<br />

referred to in Recommendation 96 the<br />

responsible authorities should ensure that<br />

consultation takes place with appropriate<br />

Aboriginal organisations, including, but not<br />

limited to, Aboriginal Legal Services.”<br />

Appendix 10<br />

Assistance to other jurisdictions and organisations<br />

In 2010–11 the <strong>Commission</strong> provided<br />

assistance and advice to the following:<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> education<br />

• Asia Pacific <strong>Judicial</strong> Educators<br />

Forum (APJEF): The Chief Executive<br />

is a member <strong>of</strong> the APJEF’s Executive<br />

Committee.<br />

• Asia Pacific <strong>Judicial</strong> Reform Forum<br />

(APJRF): The APJRF aims to advance<br />

judicial reform in the Asia Pacific<br />

Region. The <strong>Commission</strong> is a member<br />

<strong>of</strong> the APJRF Secretariat together<br />

with the High Court <strong>of</strong> Australia and<br />

the Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>, which is<br />

working to develop practical tools to<br />

assist member countries implement<br />

judicial reform programs. This year, the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>, as part <strong>of</strong> the Secretariat<br />

and in conjunction with the Supreme<br />

People’s Court <strong>of</strong> the People’s Republic<br />

<strong>of</strong> China, helped to arrange the Fourth<br />

Round Table Meeting <strong>of</strong> the Forum held<br />

in Beijing in October 2010.<br />

• International Organisation for<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Training (IOJT): The IOJT<br />

was established to promote the rule <strong>of</strong><br />

law by supporting the work <strong>of</strong> judicial<br />

education institutions around the world.<br />

The Chief Executive was elected to<br />

the Board <strong>of</strong> Governors <strong>of</strong> the IOJT in<br />

October 2009.<br />

• Papua <strong>New</strong> Guinea: The Chief<br />

Justice <strong>of</strong> Papua <strong>New</strong> Guinea visited<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong> to discuss the<br />

assistance that will be provided by the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> to develop a sentencing<br />

database for PNG courts.<br />

• <strong>South</strong> Africa: the director <strong>of</strong> the new<br />

<strong>South</strong> African <strong>Judicial</strong> Education Institute<br />

spent five days at the <strong>Commission</strong> in<br />

October 2010. He met with the Chief<br />

Executive, senior staff and judicial<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficers involved in judicial education, all<br />

<strong>of</strong> whom provided him with information<br />

and advice to assist him to understand<br />

the philosophy, design and delivery <strong>of</strong><br />

judicial education sessions in <strong>NSW</strong>. He<br />

was also provided with many planning<br />

and working documents to assist him in<br />

setting up his Institute.<br />

• Seychelles judiciary: The Chief<br />

Justice <strong>of</strong> the Seychelles requested<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong>’s assistance with<br />

arrangements for two magistrates from<br />

that country to observe the operation<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Local Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> for one<br />

week beginning 30 August 2010.<br />

The purpose <strong>of</strong> the study tour was<br />

to enable the magistrates to receive<br />

advice on best practices and to assist<br />

with the process <strong>of</strong> change and reform<br />

in the Seychelles. Two judges from the<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> the Seychelles also<br />

visited in November 2010.<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> support and case management<br />

systems<br />

• Drug Court Case Management<br />

System: we continue to host, maintain<br />

and support case management<br />

systems for the <strong>NSW</strong> Drug Court<br />

<strong>NSW</strong> Youth Drug and Alcohol Court<br />

and the Compulsory Drug Treatment<br />

Correctional Centre.<br />

• Queensland Sentencing Information<br />

Service (QSIS): we continue to host,<br />

maintain and support QSIS for the<br />

Queensland Department <strong>of</strong> Justice and<br />

Attorney General.<br />

• Commonwealth Sentencing<br />

Database (CSD): we continue to host,<br />

maintain and support the CSD which<br />

is a joint project with the National<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Australia and the<br />

Commonwealth Director <strong>of</strong> Public<br />

Prosecutions.<br />

• Forum Sentencing Management<br />

System (FSMS): in November 2010 we<br />

released a case management system<br />

for the Forum Sentencing Program for<br />

the Department <strong>of</strong> Attorney General and<br />

Justice. The second phase <strong>of</strong> the system<br />

will be released in October 2011.<br />

Appendix 10 — Assistance to other jurisdictions and organisations 131


Appendices<br />

Appendix 11<br />

Working with other organisations<br />

Our <strong>of</strong>ficers represent the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

on a number <strong>of</strong> committees and steering<br />

groups. Details <strong>of</strong> their involvements are:<br />

Mr Ernest Schmatt PSM, Chief<br />

Executive<br />

• Board <strong>of</strong> Governors to the International<br />

Organisation for <strong>Judicial</strong> Training<br />

• Advisory Board to the Commonwealth<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Education Institute, Halifax,<br />

Canada<br />

• Asia Pacific <strong>Judicial</strong> Educators Forum<br />

(Executive Member), Manila, Philippines<br />

• Asia Pacific <strong>Judicial</strong> Reform Forum<br />

Secretariat (Management Group)<br />

• Australia and <strong>New</strong> Zealand <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Educators Group<br />

• Honorary Associate in the Graduate<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Government, University <strong>of</strong><br />

Sydney<br />

• National <strong>Judicial</strong> Orientation Program<br />

Steering Committee, National <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

College <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

Ms Ruth Windeler, Education Director<br />

• Australia and <strong>New</strong> Zealand <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Educators Group<br />

• Continuing Legal Education<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> Australasia<br />

• National <strong>Judicial</strong> Orientation Program<br />

Steering Committee, National <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

College <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

• International Organisation for <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Training<br />

• Magisterial Services <strong>of</strong> PNG<br />

• National <strong>Judicial</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Canada<br />

Mr Hugh Donnelly, Director, Research<br />

and Sentencing<br />

• Directions in Jury Trials, <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Wales</strong> Law Reform <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• Sexual Assault Review Committee,<br />

Office <strong>of</strong> the Director <strong>of</strong> Public<br />

Prosecutions<br />

Mr Murali Sagi PSM, Director,<br />

Information Management and<br />

Corporate Services<br />

• Justice Sector Chief Information<br />

Officers’ Committee<br />

• Justice Sector Information Exchange<br />

Co-ordinating Committee<br />

• Joined-up-Justice Governance<br />

Committee<br />

• Member — Fellow Committee,<br />

Australian Computer Society<br />

• Adjudicator — Australasian Reporting<br />

Awards<br />

Ms Ruth Sheard, Manager,<br />

Conferences and Communication<br />

• Asia Pacific <strong>Judicial</strong> Reform Forum<br />

Secretariat (Operations Unit)<br />

Appendix 12<br />

Visitors to the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• The Honourable Justice Iain Ross,<br />

President, Victorian Civil and<br />

Administrative Tribunal, 8 July 2010<br />

• Mr Andrew Phelan, Chief Executive<br />

and Principal Registrar, High Court <strong>of</strong><br />

Australia, 30 July 2010<br />

• The Right Honourable Sir Brian<br />

Leveson, Lord Justice <strong>of</strong> Appeal and<br />

Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Sentencing Council <strong>of</strong><br />

England and <strong>Wales</strong>, 17 August 2010<br />

• The Honourable VK Rajah, Judge <strong>of</strong><br />

Appeal, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Singapore,<br />

23 August 2010<br />

• Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Paulus E Lotulung,<br />

Deputy Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> Indonesia,<br />

3 September 2010<br />

• The Honourable Justice David Wong,<br />

High Court <strong>of</strong> Sabah and Sarawak,<br />

6 September 2010<br />

• The Honourable Justice Francis<br />

MacGregor, President, Court <strong>of</strong> Appeal,<br />

Seychelles, 30 September 2010<br />

• The Honourable Justice Meyer J<strong>of</strong>fe,<br />

Director, <strong>South</strong> African <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Education Institute,<br />

11-15 October 2010<br />

• Dr Alison Reid, Medical Director,<br />

Medical Council <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>,<br />

20 October 2010<br />

• Justice Karunakaran, Judge <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> the Seychelles,<br />

2 November 2011<br />

• Justice Dodin, Judge <strong>of</strong> the Supreme<br />

Court <strong>of</strong> the Seychelles,<br />

2 November 2010<br />

• The Honourable Justice Ian Binnie,<br />

Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Canada,<br />

15 November 2010<br />

• Ms Shirani de Fontgalland, Legal<br />

and Constitutional Affairs Division,<br />

Commonwealth Secretariat, London,<br />

15 December 2010<br />

• The Honourable Justice Frank Stock,<br />

Vice President <strong>of</strong> the Court <strong>of</strong> Appeal,<br />

Hong Kong, 28 January 2011<br />

• The Honourable Sir Salamo Inja Kt,<br />

Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> Papua <strong>New</strong> Guinea,<br />

Papua <strong>New</strong> Guinea, 23 March 2011<br />

• The Honourable Justice Panuel<br />

Mogish, Chairperson <strong>of</strong> the PNG<br />

Case Management and Information<br />

Technology Committee, Papua <strong>New</strong><br />

Guinea, 25 March 2011<br />

Delegations<br />

• Delegation <strong>of</strong> 35 judges from Thailand,<br />

led by Mr Eakachai Chinnapongse,<br />

1 October 2010<br />

• Delegation from the Supreme People’s<br />

Court, People’s Republic <strong>of</strong> China, led<br />

by Mr Li Ruiyi, 3 March 2011<br />

• Delegation <strong>of</strong> three judges from the<br />

Republic <strong>of</strong> China (Taiwan),<br />

28 June 2011<br />

• Delegation <strong>of</strong> six senior Chinese judges<br />

from the Shanghai No 2 Intermediate<br />

People’s Court, China, 29 June 2011<br />

132 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Appendix 13<br />

Overseas visits<br />

• In October 2010, the <strong>Commission</strong>’s<br />

Chief Executive, Mr Ernest Schmatt<br />

PSM, in his capacity as a member<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Secretariat <strong>of</strong> the Asia Pacific<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Reform Forum Secretariat,<br />

visited Beijing to participate in the<br />

Fourth Round Table Meeting <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Forum. The meeting was attended by<br />

105 delegates from 24 countries from<br />

the Asia Pacific Region. The theme <strong>of</strong><br />

the meeting was “Using Technology to<br />

Improve Court Performance”.<br />

• In May 2011, the <strong>Commission</strong>’s Chief<br />

Executive, Mr Ernest Schmatt PSM<br />

and Director, Information Management<br />

and Corporate Services, Mr Murali Sagi<br />

PSM visited Sri Lanka to participate<br />

in the <strong>South</strong> Asian Judges’ Forum<br />

in Colombo and share expertise on<br />

enhancing judicial education programs<br />

and computerised case management<br />

systems. All costs were covered by the<br />

Commonwealth Secretariat, London as<br />

event organisers.<br />

• In June 2011, the <strong>Commission</strong>’s Chief<br />

Executive, Mr Ernest Schmatt PSM,<br />

travelled to Beijing to participate in the<br />

International Forum on <strong>Judicial</strong> Training<br />

hosted by the National Judges’ College<br />

<strong>of</strong> China. The Forum was based on a<br />

Co-operation Agreement between the<br />

College, the European Union and the<br />

United Nations Development Program.<br />

It provided an opportunity to exchange<br />

information about developments in<br />

judicial education in both civil and<br />

common law jurisdictions.<br />

Appendix 14<br />

Exchange <strong>of</strong> information<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> actively seeks to exchange<br />

information with other government agencies,<br />

academic institutions and individuals. Since<br />

its establishment, the <strong>Commission</strong> has built<br />

strong links with similar organisations in<br />

other countries in order to share knowledge<br />

and experience, particularly in the areas<br />

<strong>of</strong> judicial education and criminological<br />

research. This has proved to be a most<br />

valuable network and, as a result, the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> now holds a wealth <strong>of</strong><br />

information concerning these subjects.<br />

In 2010–11, the <strong>Commission</strong> had<br />

discussions and exchanged information<br />

with the following organisations:<br />

Australian<br />

• Administrative Appeals Tribunal<br />

• Administrative Decisions Tribunal<br />

• Attorney General’s Department (Cth)<br />

• Australian Agency for International<br />

Development<br />

• Australian Bureau <strong>of</strong> Statistics<br />

• Australian Institute <strong>of</strong> Criminology<br />

• Australian Law Reform <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• Australasian Institute <strong>of</strong> <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Administration<br />

• Australian National University<br />

• Bar Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong><br />

• Bureau <strong>of</strong> Crime Statistics and<br />

Research<br />

• Centre for Democratic Institutions (ACT)<br />

• College <strong>of</strong> Law<br />

• Commonwealth Director <strong>of</strong> Public<br />

Prosecutions<br />

• Community Relations <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• Continuing Legal Education<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> Australasia<br />

• Council <strong>of</strong> Australasian Tribunals<br />

• Criminal Law Review Division,<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Attorney General and<br />

Justice<br />

• Department <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal Affairs<br />

• Department <strong>of</strong> Commerce, Office <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Government Chief Information Officer<br />

• Department <strong>of</strong> Corrective Services<br />

• Department <strong>of</strong> Attorney General and<br />

Justice (<strong>NSW</strong>)<br />

• Department <strong>of</strong> Justice and Attorney<br />

General (Qld)<br />

• Department <strong>of</strong> Juvenile Justice<br />

• Department <strong>of</strong> Premier and Cabinet<br />

• Federal Court <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

• High Court <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

• Independent <strong>Commission</strong> Against<br />

Corruption<br />

• Institute <strong>of</strong> Criminology, University <strong>of</strong><br />

Sydney<br />

• International Development Law<br />

Organisation<br />

• <strong>Judicial</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Victoria<br />

• <strong>Judicial</strong> Conference <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

• Law and Justice Foundation <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• Law Institute <strong>of</strong> Victoria<br />

• Law Society <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• Legal Aid <strong>Commission</strong><br />

• Macquarie University Law School<br />

• Monash University Law School (Vic)<br />

• National <strong>Judicial</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

• <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong> Law Reform<br />

<strong>Commission</strong><br />

• <strong>NSW</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> State Revenue<br />

• <strong>NSW</strong> Police Force<br />

• <strong>NSW</strong> Sentencing Council<br />

• Office <strong>of</strong> the Director <strong>of</strong> Public<br />

Prosecutions (<strong>NSW</strong>)<br />

• Ombudsman’s Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

• Parliamentary Counsel’s Office<br />

• Public Defenders Office (<strong>NSW</strong>)<br />

• Roads and Traffic Authority<br />

• Sentencing Council (<strong>NSW</strong>)<br />

• Sentencing Advisory Council (Vic)<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Western Australia<br />

• University <strong>of</strong> Melbourne Law School<br />

(Vic)<br />

• University <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law<br />

• University <strong>of</strong> Sydney Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law<br />

• University <strong>of</strong> Technology, Sydney<br />

• University <strong>of</strong> Western Sydney<br />

• University <strong>of</strong> Wollongong Faculty <strong>of</strong><br />

Law<br />

• Workers Compensation <strong>Commission</strong><br />

Appendix 14 — Exchange <strong>of</strong> information 133


Appendices<br />

Appendix 14: Exchange <strong>of</strong> information continued<br />

International<br />

• American Judicature Society<br />

• Asia Pacific <strong>Judicial</strong> Educators Forum,<br />

Manila<br />

• Asia Pacific <strong>Judicial</strong> Reform Forum<br />

• Canadian Association <strong>of</strong> Provincial<br />

Court Judges<br />

• Commonwealth <strong>Judicial</strong> Education<br />

Institute, Halifax, Canada<br />

• Commonwealth Magistrates’ and<br />

Judges’ Association, United Kingdom<br />

• Court <strong>of</strong> Appeal for Ontario, Canada<br />

• Court <strong>of</strong> Appeal, Seychelles<br />

• Federal Court, Malaysia<br />

• High Court <strong>of</strong> Delhi, <strong>New</strong> Delhi, India<br />

• High Court <strong>of</strong> Malaya<br />

• High Court <strong>of</strong> Sabah and Sarawak<br />

• High Court <strong>of</strong> the Solomon Islands<br />

• Institute <strong>of</strong> <strong>Judicial</strong> Studies, <strong>New</strong><br />

Zealand<br />

• International Association <strong>of</strong> Women<br />

Judges<br />

• International Organisation for <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Training, Israel<br />

• <strong>Judicial</strong> Education Reference,<br />

Information and Technical Transfer<br />

(JERITT) Project, Michigan, USA<br />

• Judiciary <strong>of</strong> England and <strong>Wales</strong><br />

• Magisterial Services <strong>of</strong> Papua <strong>New</strong><br />

Guinea<br />

• Malaysian Administrative<br />

Modernisation and Management<br />

Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s<br />

Department, Malaysia<br />

• Michigan <strong>Judicial</strong> Institute, USA<br />

• National and Supreme Courts <strong>of</strong> Papua<br />

<strong>New</strong> Guinea<br />

• National Association <strong>of</strong> State <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

Educators, Michigan, USA<br />

• National <strong>Judicial</strong> Academy, Bhopal,<br />

India<br />

• National <strong>Judicial</strong> Institute, Canada<br />

• Philippines <strong>Judicial</strong> Academy, Manila<br />

• Subordinate Courts <strong>of</strong> Singapore<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Bangladesh<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Canada<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Indonesia<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> the Maldives<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Nepal<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> the Philippines<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Singapore<br />

• Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> Sri Lanka<br />

• Supreme People’s Court, Beijing, China<br />

• University <strong>of</strong> Toronto, Canada<br />

• University <strong>of</strong> Windsor, Canada<br />

• York University, Canada<br />

Appendix 15<br />

Presentations by <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers<br />

• “Innovation in Government”,<br />

presentation by Mr M Sagi PSM at<br />

Telstra Enterprise and Government<br />

Sales Conference, Melbourne, 27 July<br />

2010<br />

• Facilitation by Ms Ruth Windeler<br />

in Faculty Development Programs<br />

in both Sydney and Adelaide in<br />

September 2010 conducted by the<br />

National <strong>Judicial</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

in conjunction with the <strong>Commission</strong>,<br />

AIJA, <strong>Judicial</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Victoria and<br />

the Institute <strong>of</strong> <strong>Judicial</strong> Studies in <strong>New</strong><br />

Zealand<br />

• “Familiarisation/Orientation”,<br />

presentation by Ms R Windeler at the<br />

National <strong>Judicial</strong> Orientation Program,<br />

Fremantle, Western Australia,<br />

24 October 2010<br />

• “The <strong>Judicial</strong> Information Research<br />

System”, presentation by Mr E Schmatt<br />

PSM at the Asia Pacific <strong>Judicial</strong> Reform<br />

Forum, Beijing, China, 27 October 2010<br />

• “Designing Relevant and Stimulating<br />

Education Activities: Current Trends<br />

in Continuing <strong>Judicial</strong> Education”, a<br />

paper prepared by Ms Ruth Windeler<br />

for the CLEAA Annual Conference,<br />

28–29 October 2010, Sydney<br />

• “Familiarisation/Orientation”,<br />

presentation by Ms R Windeler at the<br />

Magistrates’ Orientation Program,<br />

Kiama, 28 November 2010<br />

• “<strong>Judicial</strong> Communication”,<br />

presentation by Ms R Windeler at the<br />

Magistrates’ Orientation Program,<br />

Kiama, 30 November 2010<br />

• “Familiarisation/Orientation”,<br />

presentation by Ms R Windeler at the<br />

National <strong>Judicial</strong> Orientation Program,<br />

Coogee, <strong>NSW</strong>, 10 April 2011<br />

• “Occupational Health and Safety<br />

Database”, presentation by<br />

Mr M Sagi PSM at the Industrial<br />

Relations <strong>Commission</strong>, Sydney,<br />

9 May 2011<br />

• “Continuing <strong>Judicial</strong> Education”,<br />

presentation by Mr E Schmatt PSM<br />

at the Commonwealth Secretariat<br />

<strong>South</strong> Asian Judges Regional Forum<br />

on Economic and Financial Crime,<br />

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15 May 2011<br />

• “Better Decision Making with<br />

Technology”, presentation by<br />

Mr E Schmatt PSM at the<br />

Commonwealth Secretariat <strong>South</strong><br />

Asian Judges Regional Forum on<br />

Economic and Financial Crime,<br />

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15 May 2011<br />

• “Case Management — Best Practice”,<br />

presentation by Mr M Sagi PSM<br />

at the Commonwealth Secretariat<br />

<strong>South</strong> Asian Judges Regional Forum<br />

on Economic and Financial Crime,<br />

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15 May 2011<br />

• “Introduction to the work <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Judicial</strong><br />

<strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>”, Presentation<br />

by Ms Pierrette Mizzi to lawyers <strong>of</strong><br />

the Commonwealth Director <strong>of</strong> Public<br />

Prosecutions, 16 May 2011<br />

• “JIRS Demonstration”, presentation by<br />

Mr M Sagi PSM at the ACT Supreme<br />

Court, Canberra, 28 June 2011<br />

134 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Appendix 16<br />

Access to government information<br />

The Government Information (Public<br />

Access) Act 2009 (the GIPA Act) replaced<br />

the Freedom <strong>of</strong> Information Act 1989 from<br />

1 July 2010.<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> is an<br />

agency for the purpose <strong>of</strong> the GIPA Act.<br />

Types <strong>of</strong> information held by the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong><br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> holds information<br />

relating to its administrative, research and<br />

sentencing, education, and complaint<br />

handling functions. Information that relates<br />

to the <strong>Commission</strong>’s (including the Conduct<br />

Division) complaint handling, investigative<br />

and reporting functions is “excluded<br />

information” under Schedule 2 <strong>of</strong> the GIPA<br />

Act. This means that an access application<br />

cannot be made for this information under<br />

that legislation. Information in relation to<br />

the <strong>Commission</strong>’s administrative, research<br />

and sentencing, and education functions<br />

may be made publicly available by the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> subject to any overriding<br />

public interest against disclosure.<br />

Under the GIPA Act there are four ways<br />

that information can be made available to<br />

the public. These are mandatory release<br />

<strong>of</strong> “open access information”, proactive<br />

release <strong>of</strong> information for which there is no<br />

overriding public interest against disclosure,<br />

informal release <strong>of</strong> information for which<br />

there is no overriding public interest against<br />

disclosure in response to an informal<br />

request, and, as a last resort, formal release<br />

in response to an access application. Details<br />

<strong>of</strong> how to access the <strong>Commission</strong>’s “open<br />

access information” is set out below.<br />

Access applications can be found on the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>’s website: www.judcom.nsw.<br />

gov.au under “About the <strong>Commission</strong> —<br />

Access to information”.<br />

Publicly available <strong>Commission</strong><br />

information<br />

The GIPA Act requires “open access<br />

information” to be made publicly available.<br />

This information is identified on the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>’s “Access to Information”<br />

section <strong>of</strong> its website.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> information publicly<br />

available free <strong>of</strong> charge includes:<br />

• annual reports<br />

• corporate documents such as the code<br />

<strong>of</strong> conduct<br />

• research monographs and bench books<br />

• education publications<br />

• media releases, fact sheets and media<br />

statements<br />

All publicly available publications are<br />

available on the <strong>Commission</strong>’s website at<br />

www.judcom.nsw.gov.au.<br />

Manner in which <strong>Commission</strong><br />

information is made available<br />

All information contained on the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>’s website can be downloaded<br />

free <strong>of</strong> charge. Alternatively, the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> may be contacted on:<br />

(02) 92994421<br />

or by email: judcom@judcom.nsw.gov.au<br />

or write to:<br />

Right to Information Officer<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong><br />

GPO Box 3634, Sydney <strong>NSW</strong> 2001.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> is located at: Level 5, 301<br />

George Street, Sydney.<br />

Charges<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> does not generally charge<br />

for the provision <strong>of</strong> information. However,<br />

if a hard copy <strong>of</strong> its publications including<br />

monographs, journals and annual reports<br />

is sought, the <strong>Commission</strong> charges a fee<br />

and the details are on the <strong>Commission</strong>’s<br />

website at www.judcom.nsw.gov.au.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> may charge an<br />

application fee <strong>of</strong> $30 for each formal<br />

access application. Depending on the<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> time it takes to process a formal<br />

access application, the <strong>Commission</strong> may<br />

also charge a processing fee <strong>of</strong> $30 per<br />

hour (the application fee <strong>of</strong> $30 counts<br />

towards the first hour <strong>of</strong> processing). If a<br />

processing fee is to be charged, the person<br />

making the formal access application will<br />

be given notice <strong>of</strong> the charge and how it is<br />

calculated. Further information on fees and<br />

charges can be obtained from the GIPA Act<br />

fees and charges fact sheet provided by<br />

the Office <strong>of</strong> the Information <strong>Commission</strong>er<br />

at www.oic.nsw.gov.au.<br />

Further information<br />

Further information on the operation <strong>of</strong><br />

the GIPA Act and your rights under that<br />

Act can be obtained from the Office <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Information <strong>Commission</strong>er by accessing<br />

the Office’s website at www.oic.nsw.gov.au,<br />

by free telephone call on 1800 INFOCOM<br />

(1800 463 626), by emailing the Office at<br />

oicinfo@oic.nsw.gov.au, or by writing to the<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice at GPO Box 701.<br />

Appendix 16 — Access to government information 135


Appendices<br />

Appendix 17<br />

Other compliance matters<br />

Application for extension <strong>of</strong> time<br />

Code <strong>of</strong> conduct<br />

Controlled entities, disclosure <strong>of</strong><br />

Community Relations <strong>Commission</strong>, agreements with<br />

Disability plan<br />

Events with a significant effect on the succeeding year after<br />

the balance date<br />

Executive <strong>of</strong>ficers, performance<br />

Funds granted to non-government community organisations<br />

Heritage management<br />

Implementation <strong>of</strong> price determination<br />

Land disposal<br />

Major assets<br />

No extension applied for.<br />

The code <strong>of</strong> conduct is available to all staff on the <strong>Commission</strong>’s<br />

intranet. As no amendments were made in 2010–11, the <strong>Commission</strong> is<br />

not required to reproduce the code <strong>of</strong> conduct.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> has no controlled entities.<br />

No agreements have been entered into.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> is not required to report on a disability plan under the<br />

Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002.<br />

Not applicable.<br />

Not reported because the <strong>Commission</strong>’s executive <strong>of</strong>ficers are not<br />

employed under the Public Sector Employment and Management Act<br />

2002 but under the <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Act 1986.<br />

None.<br />

Not applicable.<br />

Not applicable.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> does not own and did not dispose <strong>of</strong> any property.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> does not own any major assets.<br />

Multicultural Policies and Services Plan Refer to p 69.<br />

Requirements arising from employment arrangements<br />

Responses to reports <strong>of</strong> parliamentary committees and<br />

Auditor-General<br />

Subsidiaries, disclosure <strong>of</strong><br />

Waste<br />

Not applicable.<br />

No significant matters requiring a response were raised.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> has no subsidiaries.<br />

Refer to pp 72–73 for our environmental reporting.<br />

136 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Glossary<br />

AIJA<br />

Appointed member<br />

Bench Books<br />

Complaint<br />

— Australasian Institute <strong>of</strong> <strong>Judicial</strong> Administration<br />

— A non-judicial member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>: see also Official member.<br />

— Reference books for judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

— A complaint against a judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer about ability or behaviour, either made by a member <strong>of</strong> the public<br />

or referred to the <strong>Commission</strong> by the Attorney General.<br />

Conduct Division — A special panel that examines a particular complaint referred to it by the <strong>Commission</strong>.<br />

Education day<br />

— Calculated on the basis <strong>of</strong> 5 to 6 instructional hours attended by a judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer.<br />

Help desk<br />

— A telephone service for judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers that provides assistance with all aspects <strong>of</strong> computer usage.<br />

JIRS<br />

— see <strong>Judicial</strong> Information Research System.<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> — 1. An independent statutory organisation established by the <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Act 1986.<br />

2. The Appointed Members and Official Members, collectively.<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Information — An online legal reference tool for judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers, relevant government organisations and members<br />

Research System (JIRS) <strong>of</strong> the legal pr<strong>of</strong>ession.<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficer — As defined in the <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Act 1986:<br />

a judge or associate judge <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court<br />

a member (including a judicial member) <strong>of</strong> the Industrial Relations <strong>Commission</strong><br />

a judge <strong>of</strong> the Land and Environment Court<br />

a judge <strong>of</strong> the District Court<br />

the president <strong>of</strong> the Children’s Court<br />

a magistrate, or<br />

the president <strong>of</strong> the Administrative Decisions Tribunal.<br />

The definition <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer includes acting appointments to a judicial <strong>of</strong>fice, but does not include<br />

arbitrators, registrars, chamber registrars, assessors, members <strong>of</strong> tribunals, legal representatives, retired<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers or federal judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

Ngara Yura program — Aboriginal cultural awareness program for judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />

NJCA<br />

— National <strong>Judicial</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />

<strong>NSW</strong><br />

— <strong>New</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Wales</strong><br />

Official member<br />

— A judicial member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong>.<br />

Pre-bench training — An induction program for newly appointed magistrates to assist them with their transition to the bench.<br />

Vexatious complainant — The <strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Act 1986 empowers the <strong>Commission</strong> to declare as a vexatious complainant a person<br />

who habitually and persistently, and mischievously or without any reasonable grounds, makes complaints<br />

about judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers. The effect <strong>of</strong> the declaration is that the <strong>Commission</strong> may disregard any further<br />

complaint from the complainant.<br />

Glossary 137


Index<br />

Entries in italics indicate compliance with<br />

statutory reporting requirements<br />

A<br />

Aboriginal cultural awareness program –<br />

see Ngara Yura Program<br />

access to Government information . . . 85, 135<br />

after balance date events having a<br />

significant effect in succeeding year . . . . 113<br />

assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90<br />

Audit and Risk Management<br />

Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83–4<br />

compliance with Treasury<br />

guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83<br />

meeting attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83<br />

auditor-general reports, responses to . . . . 136<br />

B<br />

bench books. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 35, 130<br />

committees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123<br />

Bureau <strong>of</strong> Crime Statistics and<br />

Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33, 34, 58<br />

C<br />

case management systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57<br />

Chief Executive’s message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9<br />

China<br />

best practice in judicial training . . . . . . . 61<br />

Civil Trials Bench Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 21<br />

code <strong>of</strong> conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> management team . . . . . . 79–80<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> members . . . . . . . . . . . . 76–8, 81<br />

attendance at meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82<br />

conflicts <strong>of</strong> interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81<br />

functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81<br />

names and qualifications . . . . . . . . . . 76–8<br />

remuneration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82<br />

responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81<br />

committees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83–4, 122–3<br />

community – see partners<br />

Community Relations <strong>Commission</strong>,<br />

agreement with. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39–49<br />

Attorney General, referral from . . . . . . . . 47<br />

AVO proceedings, from . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

basis <strong>of</strong> allegation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48<br />

benchmarking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40<br />

bias, allegation <strong>of</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 48<br />

case studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49<br />

causes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47–8<br />

challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44, 48<br />

Conduct Division, finalisation . . . . . . . 46–7<br />

Conduct Division, referral to. . . 42, 117–18<br />

criteria for dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41<br />

dealing with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 116–18<br />

decrease 2010–11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45<br />

delay and impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

discourtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

dismissal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 45, 117<br />

effective complaints process,<br />

providing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41–4<br />

examination <strong>of</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39–49<br />

failure to give fair hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

five-year comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148<br />

formal complaints governance . . . . . . . . 42<br />

further action, complaints requiring . . . . 42<br />

guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116–20<br />

head <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction, referral to . . . . . . . . 46<br />

how to make. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41<br />

inappropriate comments . . . . . . . . . 47, 49<br />

inappropriate conduct towards legal<br />

practitioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49<br />

incompetence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

informal enquiries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 47<br />

information about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44<br />

judicial accountability . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45–9<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers, against, guidelines . . 116–18<br />

key results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6<br />

key services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />

magistrates’ behaviour, concerning . . 46–7<br />

monitoring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

national recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40<br />

particulars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45<br />

patterns, identifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47–8<br />

process (flowchart) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43<br />

received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45<br />

retirement <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer . . . . . . . . . . 49<br />

satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40<br />

sentencing matter discussed in<br />

public area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49<br />

statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 48<br />

substitution for appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

timeliness in dealing with . . . . . . . . . . . . 40<br />

unrepresented litigants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47<br />

vexatious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 117<br />

compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

letter to Attorney-General. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1<br />

Conduct Division . . . . . . . . . 42, 46–7, 117–18<br />

examination <strong>of</strong> complaints,<br />

guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119–20<br />

consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92<br />

controlled entities, disclosure <strong>of</strong>. . . . . . . . . 136<br />

credit card certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92<br />

criminal law developments<br />

communicating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36, 37<br />

Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book . . . . . . . . 31<br />

D<br />

delegations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57<br />

disability plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

domestic violence cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22<br />

E<br />

education – see judicial education<br />

employees – see staff<br />

environmental sustainability – see sustainability<br />

Equality Before the Law Bench Book . . . 21, 123<br />

executive <strong>of</strong>ficers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79–80<br />

Chief Executive, appointment . . . . . . . . 82<br />

Chief Executive, role. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82<br />

numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79–80<br />

performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

presentations by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134<br />

remuneration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82<br />

expenditure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 91<br />

extension <strong>of</strong> time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

external audit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84<br />

F<br />

financial management . . . . . . . . . 5, 9, 89–113<br />

financial performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92<br />

financial report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93–113<br />

financial summary 2010–11 . . . . . . . . . 5, 90–1<br />

Forum Sentencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59<br />

freedom <strong>of</strong> information – see access to<br />

Government information<br />

funds granted to non-government<br />

community organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

G<br />

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) . . . . . . . 1, 140<br />

glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137<br />

goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inside cover, 6–7<br />

governance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 5, 9, 75–86<br />

practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81–5<br />

H<br />

heritage management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5<br />

history. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4<br />

human resources – see staff<br />

I<br />

information exchange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133–4<br />

insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84<br />

internal audit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83<br />

CEO attestation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86<br />

International Organisation for <strong>Judicial</strong> Training<br />

(IOJT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131<br />

J<br />

judicial accountability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45–9<br />

judicial appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19<br />

judicial education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7, 11–27<br />

Aboriginal Cultural Awareness program . . 25<br />

assistance to Asia Pacific neighbours<br />

– see partners<br />

attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 14<br />

case studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 24, 27<br />

challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 17, 23<br />

communication skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22<br />

computer support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23<br />

conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 18, 123–7<br />

critique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13<br />

design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16–17<br />

distance education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22<br />

domestic violence matters . . . . . . . . . . . 22<br />

environmental law best practice. . . . . . . 24<br />

field trips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 22, 128<br />

film, through . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21<br />

five-year comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148<br />

highlights 2010–11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19–24<br />

interactive programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17<br />

internal audit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15<br />

key results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6<br />

key services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />

looking ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 17, 23<br />

online conference paper database. . . . . 20<br />

orientation sessions . . . . . . . . . . 13, 126–7<br />

policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121<br />

presenting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18<br />

programs, designing effective . . . . . 16–17<br />

publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 21<br />

research skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22<br />

satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12–15<br />

seminar programs. . . . . . 13, 18, 22, 127–8<br />

targets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11<br />

training judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19<br />

workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 127–8<br />

138 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


<strong>Judicial</strong> Information Research<br />

System (JIRS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 31–2, 35<br />

accessibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34<br />

challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34–5, 36<br />

components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33<br />

currency and accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33<br />

data accuracy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34<br />

improving resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36<br />

looking ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 36<br />

services directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35<br />

support system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35<br />

timeliness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33–4<br />

use <strong>of</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30–2<br />

judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

complaints against, guidelines . . . . 116–18<br />

definition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116<br />

training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Officers Act 1986<br />

statutory goals . . . . . . . . .inside cover, 6–7<br />

changes to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Officers’ Bulletin . . . . . . . . 4, 121, 130<br />

judicial performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6<br />

The <strong>Judicial</strong> Review . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 35, 130<br />

K<br />

key results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6<br />

key services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />

L<br />

land disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

Lawcodes database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 58<br />

legal change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85<br />

legislative charter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85<br />

liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90<br />

library service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71<br />

challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71<br />

looking ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71<br />

Local Court Bench Book . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 59<br />

major assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

M<br />

Malaysia<br />

assistance to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56<br />

management and structure – see also<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> members; executive<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79–80<br />

committees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83–4, 122–3<br />

organisation chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81<br />

our organisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3<br />

mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3<br />

Multicultural Policies and Services Plan . . . . 136<br />

N<br />

Ngara Yura program . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 25, 131<br />

challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26<br />

highlights 2010–11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25–6<br />

looking ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26<br />

<strong>NSW</strong> government, relationship with. . . . . . . 83<br />

<strong>NSW</strong> Maritime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59<br />

<strong>NSW</strong> Sentencing Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59<br />

O<br />

occupational health and safety . . . . . . . . . . 84<br />

organisational chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81<br />

organisational performance . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7<br />

organisational pr<strong>of</strong>ile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3<br />

overseas visits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133<br />

P<br />

Papua <strong>New</strong> Guinea<br />

assistance to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56, 131<br />

parliamentary committees, responses to . . . 136<br />

partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 51–61<br />

acknowledgement from Chief Justice . . 52<br />

agencies, other justice sector. . . 58–9, 132<br />

case studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 59, 61<br />

challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 57, 59, 60<br />

community awareness, program . . . . . . 54<br />

courts’ case management systems,<br />

support for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57<br />

engagement with . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 51–61<br />

Indigenous communities – see also<br />

Ngara Yura program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54<br />

information and advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54<br />

international . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 52, 55–6<br />

judicial education providers . . . . . . . . 60–1<br />

judicial reform in Region. . . . . . . 55, 56, 57<br />

justice sector agencies, working with . . 58–9<br />

national . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53<br />

<strong>NSW</strong> public and community groups. . . . 54<br />

other jurisdictions . . . . . . . . . . . . 55–7, 131<br />

outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51<br />

satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52<br />

sentencing presentations,<br />

acknowledgement by lawyers . . . . . . . . 53<br />

targets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51<br />

website, communication through . . . . . . 54<br />

payment <strong>of</strong> accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92<br />

performance targets and results . . . . . . . . . . 6<br />

President’s foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8<br />

price determination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

privacy management plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85<br />

public access to resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54<br />

publications . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 21, 30, 129–30<br />

articles published . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128–9<br />

electronic delivery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70–1<br />

R<br />

record management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72<br />

regional conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56<br />

research and development<br />

assistance to agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58<br />

research and sentencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5<br />

child pornography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37<br />

criminal law developments . . . . . . . . 36, 37<br />

five-year comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148<br />

independent research. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36–7<br />

<strong>Judicial</strong> Information Research Service<br />

– see <strong>Judicial</strong> Information Research<br />

Service (JIRS)<br />

key results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6<br />

key services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />

new penalty option<br />

online sentencing resources. . . . . . . . 30–1<br />

outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29<br />

published research studies. . . . . . . . . . . 36<br />

satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30–2<br />

sexual assault and evidence . . . . . . . . . 37<br />

study <strong>of</strong> conviction appeals . . . . . . . . 9, 37<br />

targets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29<br />

Results and Services Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6<br />

revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90<br />

risk management policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84<br />

S<br />

sentencing – see research and sentencing<br />

Sentencing Bench Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54<br />

Sentencing Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59<br />

service group expenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91<br />

service measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />

services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />

customer response, guaranteeing . . . . . 70<br />

electronic delivery <strong>of</strong>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70–1<br />

<strong>South</strong> African <strong>Judicial</strong> Education Institute<br />

advice to. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55<br />

<strong>South</strong> Asian Judges Regional Forum<br />

assistance to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56<br />

Sri Lanka<br />

assistance to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51, 56, 133<br />

staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 65<br />

attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65<br />

challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 69<br />

conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66<br />

employment arrangements . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

equal opportunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68–9<br />

five-year comparison . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 148<br />

flexible work arrangements . . . . . . . . . . 66<br />

induction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66<br />

informing employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66<br />

multicultural society, needs <strong>of</strong> . . . . . . . . 69<br />

outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63<br />

performance reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70<br />

recognising achievements . . . . . . . . . . . 68<br />

retaining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65<br />

safe working environment . . . . . . . . . . . 70<br />

satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 9, 64<br />

targets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63<br />

traineeships and work experience . . . . . 68<br />

training and development. . . . . . . . . . . . 67<br />

turnover rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 65<br />

wages, setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66<br />

statistics, five year comparison . . . . . . . . . 148<br />

strategic focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 5<br />

Strategic Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5<br />

structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 81<br />

subsidiaries, disclosure <strong>of</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136<br />

sustainability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72–3<br />

challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73<br />

energy use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73, 148<br />

looking ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73<br />

measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73<br />

statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9<br />

sustainability reporting framework . . . . . . . . . 1<br />

T<br />

technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70<br />

training – see judicial education<br />

Treasury Guidelines, compliance with . . . . . 83<br />

Tribal Warrior Association mentoring program . 27<br />

V<br />

values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3<br />

vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3<br />

visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 132<br />

W<br />

waste reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 136<br />

website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54<br />

workplace systems and technology. . . . . 70–2<br />

Y<br />

year ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9<br />

Index 139


GRI index<br />

GRI Index J C<br />

This is the <strong>Commission</strong>’s first sustainability<br />

report where we report against the GRI<br />

descriptors and disclosures.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong>’s self-declared<br />

Application Level is C. A “C” Report<br />

Application level requires the <strong>Commission</strong><br />

to report on 1.1, 2.1–2.10, 3.1–3.8, 3.10–<br />

3.12, 4.1–4.4, 4.14–4.15 and a minimum<br />

<strong>of</strong> 10 Performance Indicators, including at<br />

least one from each <strong>of</strong>: social, economic<br />

and environment.<br />

The scope and boundary <strong>of</strong> the annual<br />

report is determined by the <strong>Commission</strong>’s<br />

three key operational activities as measured<br />

by the performance indicators shown<br />

on pp 6–7 as well as the <strong>Commission</strong>’s<br />

engagements with its stakeholders as<br />

reported at pp 52–60, 131–134. The<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> has no entitites over which it<br />

exercises control or signficant influence.<br />

There are no identified material exclusions<br />

from this report.<br />

Key<br />

R – reported<br />

NR – not reported<br />

PR – partially reported<br />

NA – not relevant to the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong><br />

Application Level C<br />

G3 Content Index - GRI Application Level C<br />

STANDARD DISCLOSURES PART I: Pr<strong>of</strong>ile Disclosures<br />

REPORT FULLY ON THE BELOW SELECTION OF PROFILE DISCLOSURES OR PROVIDE A REASON FOR OMISSION<br />

1. Strategy and Analysis<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>ile Disclosure Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

1.1 Statement from Chief Executive R Page 9<br />

2. Organisational Pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>ile Disclosure Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

2.1 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> R Front cover<br />

2.2 Primary brands, products, and/or services. R Year at a glance p 5<br />

2.3 Operational structure <strong>of</strong> <strong>Commission</strong>, including<br />

main divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries,<br />

and joint ventures.<br />

R Page 81<br />

2.4 Location <strong>of</strong> organisation’s headquarters. R Back cover<br />

2.5 Number <strong>of</strong> countries where the organisation<br />

operates, and names <strong>of</strong> countries with either major<br />

operations or that are specifically relevant to the<br />

sustainability issues covered in the report.<br />

R Page 3<br />

2.6 Nature <strong>of</strong> ownership and legal form. R Page 3<br />

2.7 Markets served (including geographic breakdown,<br />

sectors served, and types <strong>of</strong> customers/<br />

beneficiaries).<br />

R<br />

Inside front cover,<br />

Page 3<br />

2.8 Scale <strong>of</strong> the reporting organisation. R Pages 3, 5<br />

2.9 Significant changes during the reporting period<br />

regarding size, structure, or ownership.<br />

R Pages 8, 9<br />

2.10 Awards received in the reporting period. R Page 68<br />

140 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


3. Report Parameters<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>ile Disclosure Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

3.1 Reporting period R 1 July 2010–30 June 2011<br />

3.2 Date <strong>of</strong> most recent previous report (if any). R Inside front cover<br />

3.3 Reporting cycle (annual, biennial, etc.) R Annual<br />

3.4 Contact point for questions regarding the report or<br />

R<br />

Back cover<br />

its contents.<br />

3.5 Process for defining report content. R Inside front cover, page 1<br />

3.6 Boundary <strong>of</strong> the report R Inside front cover, pages<br />

1, 136<br />

3.7 State any specific limitations on the scope or<br />

boundary <strong>of</strong> the report.<br />

R Page 140<br />

3.8 Basis for reporting on joint ventures, subsidiaries,<br />

leased facilities, outsourced operations, and other<br />

entities that can significantly affect comparability<br />

from period to period and/or between organisations.<br />

3.10 Explanation <strong>of</strong> the effect <strong>of</strong> any restatements <strong>of</strong><br />

information provided in earlier reports.<br />

3.11 Significant changes from previous reporting periods<br />

in the scope, boundary, or measurement methods<br />

applied in the report.<br />

3.12 Table identifying the location <strong>of</strong> the Standard<br />

Disclosures in the report.<br />

4. Governance, Commitments, and Engagement<br />

NA<br />

R<br />

R<br />

There were no effects<br />

<strong>of</strong> restatements <strong>of</strong><br />

information provided in<br />

earlier reports<br />

There were no significant<br />

changes from last year’s<br />

annual report in the<br />

scope, boundary or<br />

measurements methods<br />

applied in the report<br />

R Page 140<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>ile Disclosure Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

4.1 Governance structure <strong>of</strong> the organisation, including<br />

committees under the highest governance body<br />

responsible for specific tasks, such as setting<br />

strategy or organisational oversight.<br />

4.2 Indicate whether the Chair <strong>of</strong> the highest<br />

governance body is also an executive <strong>of</strong>ficer.<br />

4.3 For organisations that have a unitary board<br />

structure, state the number <strong>of</strong> members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

highest governance body that are independent and/<br />

or non-executive members.<br />

4.4 Mechanisms for employees to provide<br />

recommendations or direction to the highest<br />

governance body.<br />

4.14 List <strong>of</strong> stakeholder groups the <strong>Commission</strong> engages<br />

with.<br />

4.15 Basis for identification and selection <strong>of</strong> stakeholders<br />

with whom to engage.<br />

R Pages 76–86<br />

R<br />

The President <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> is not an<br />

Executive Officer<br />

R Page 76<br />

R Page 81<br />

R Pages 132–134<br />

R Pages 3, 52<br />

GRI index 141


GRI index<br />

GRI index continued<br />

Economic<br />

Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

STANDARD DISCLOSURES PART III: Performance Indicators<br />

REPORT FULLY ON 10 CORE OR ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - AT LEAST 1 FROM EACH<br />

DIMENSION (ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL)<br />

Economic performance<br />

EC1<br />

Direct economic value generated and distributed,<br />

including revenues, operating costs, employee<br />

compensation, donations and other community<br />

investments, retained earnings, and payments to<br />

capital providers and governments.<br />

EC2<br />

EC3<br />

EC4<br />

Market presence<br />

EC5<br />

EC6<br />

EC7<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Financial implications and other risks and<br />

opportunities for the organisation’s activities due to<br />

climate change.<br />

Coverage <strong>of</strong> the organisation’s defined benefit plan<br />

obligations.<br />

Significant financial assistance received from<br />

government.<br />

Range <strong>of</strong> ratios <strong>of</strong> standard entry level wage<br />

compared to local minimum wage at significant<br />

locations <strong>of</strong> operation.<br />

Policy, practices, and proportion <strong>of</strong> spending on<br />

locally-based suppliers at significant locations <strong>of</strong><br />

operation.<br />

Procedures for local hiring and proportion <strong>of</strong> senior<br />

management hired from the local community at<br />

significant locations <strong>of</strong> operation.<br />

Indirect economic impacts<br />

EC8<br />

Development and impact <strong>of</strong> infrastructure<br />

investments and services provided primarily for<br />

public benefit through commercial, in-kind, or pro<br />

bono engagement.<br />

EC9<br />

Environmental<br />

Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

Understanding and describing significant indirect<br />

economic impacts, including the extent <strong>of</strong> impacts.<br />

R<br />

NA<br />

Financial Report:<br />

pages 89–113<br />

R Page 66<br />

R Page 96<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Materials<br />

EN1 Materials used by weight or volume. R Pages 72–73<br />

EN2<br />

Percentage <strong>of</strong> materials used that are recycled input<br />

R Pages 72–73<br />

materials.<br />

Energy<br />

EN3<br />

Direct energy consumption by primary energy<br />

R Pages 72–73<br />

source.<br />

EN4 Indirect energy consumption by primary source. NR not measured<br />

EN5<br />

Energy saved due to conservation and efficiency<br />

improvements.<br />

R Page 73<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

142 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

EN6<br />

EN7<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Initiatives to provide energy-efficient or renewable<br />

energy based products and services, and reductions<br />

in energy requirements as a result <strong>of</strong> these initiatives.<br />

Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption<br />

and reductions achieved.<br />

R Page 73<br />

NR<br />

not measured<br />

Water<br />

EN8 Total water withdrawal by source. NR not measured<br />

EN9<br />

Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal<br />

<strong>of</strong> water.<br />

NR<br />

not measured<br />

EN10<br />

Biodiversity<br />

EN11<br />

EN12<br />

Percentage and total volume <strong>of</strong> water recycled and<br />

reused.<br />

Location and size <strong>of</strong> land owned, leased, managed<br />

in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas <strong>of</strong> high<br />

biodiversity value outside protected areas.<br />

Description <strong>of</strong> significant impacts <strong>of</strong> activities,<br />

products, and services on biodiversity in protected<br />

areas and areas <strong>of</strong> high biodiversity value outside<br />

protected areas.<br />

EN13 Habitats protected or restored. NA<br />

EN14<br />

EN15<br />

Strategies, current actions, and future plans for<br />

managing impacts on biodiversity.<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> IUCN Red List species and national<br />

conservation list species with habitats in areas<br />

affected by operations, by level <strong>of</strong> extinction risk.<br />

Emissions, effluents and waste<br />

EN16<br />

Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions<br />

by weight.<br />

EN17<br />

EN18<br />

EN19<br />

EN20<br />

Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions<br />

by weight.<br />

Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and<br />

reductions achieved.<br />

Emissions <strong>of</strong> ozone-depleting substances by<br />

weight.<br />

NOx, SOx, and other significant air emissions by<br />

type and weight.<br />

NR<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

not measured<br />

R Pages 72–73<br />

NR<br />

not measured<br />

R Page 73<br />

NR<br />

NR<br />

not measured<br />

not measured<br />

EN21 Total water discharge by quality and destination. NR not measured<br />

EN22 Total weight <strong>of</strong> waste by type and disposal method. R Page 72<br />

EN23 Total number and volume <strong>of</strong> significant spills. NA<br />

EN24<br />

EN25<br />

Weight <strong>of</strong> transported, imported, exported, or treated<br />

waste deemed hazardous under the terms <strong>of</strong> the Basel<br />

Convention Annex I, II, III, and VIII, and percentage <strong>of</strong><br />

transported waste shipped internationally.<br />

Identity, size, protected status, and biodiversity<br />

value <strong>of</strong> water bodies and related habitats<br />

significantly affected by the reporting organisation’s<br />

discharges <strong>of</strong> water and run<strong>of</strong>f.<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

GRI index 143


GRI index<br />

GRI index continued<br />

Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

Products and services<br />

EN26<br />

Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts <strong>of</strong><br />

products and services, and extent <strong>of</strong> impact mitigation.<br />

EN27<br />

Compliance<br />

EN28<br />

Transport<br />

EN29<br />

Overall<br />

EN30<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Percentage <strong>of</strong> products sold and their packaging<br />

materials that are reclaimed by category.<br />

Monetary value <strong>of</strong> significant fines and total number<br />

<strong>of</strong> non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with<br />

environmental laws and regulations.<br />

Significant environmental impacts <strong>of</strong> transporting<br />

products and other goods and materials used for<br />

the organisation’s operations, and transporting<br />

members <strong>of</strong> the workforce.<br />

Total environmental protection expenditures and<br />

investments by type.<br />

Social: Labor Practices and Decent Work<br />

Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

Employment<br />

LA1<br />

LA2<br />

LA3<br />

R Page 73<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NR<br />

NA<br />

not measured<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Total workforce by employment type, employment<br />

contract, and region.<br />

Total number and rate <strong>of</strong> employee turnover by age<br />

group, gender, and region.<br />

Benefits provided to full-time employees that are<br />

not provided to temporary or part-time employees,<br />

by major operations.<br />

Labor/management relations<br />

LA4<br />

Percentage <strong>of</strong> employees covered by collective<br />

bargaining agreements.<br />

LA5<br />

Minimum notice period(s) regarding significant<br />

operational changes, including whether it is specified<br />

in collective agreements.<br />

Occupational health and safety<br />

LA6<br />

Percentage <strong>of</strong> total workforce represented in<br />

formal joint management-worker health and safety<br />

committees that help monitor and advise on<br />

occupational health and safety programs.<br />

LA7<br />

LA8<br />

LA9<br />

Rates <strong>of</strong> injury, occupational diseases, lost days,<br />

and absenteeism, and number <strong>of</strong> work-related<br />

fatalities by region.<br />

Education, training, counseling, prevention, and<br />

risk-control programs in place to assist workforce<br />

members, their families, or community members<br />

regarding serious diseases.<br />

Health and safety topics covered in formal<br />

agreements with trade unions.<br />

R Page 65<br />

PR Pages 65, 69<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NR<br />

R Page 70<br />

R Page 70<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

144 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

Training and education<br />

LA10<br />

Average hours <strong>of</strong> training per year per employee by<br />

employee category.<br />

LA11<br />

Programs for skills management and lifelong<br />

learning that support the continued employability<br />

<strong>of</strong> employees and assist them in managing career<br />

endings.<br />

LA12<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Percentage <strong>of</strong> employees receiving regular<br />

performance and career development reviews.<br />

Diversity and equal opportunity<br />

LA13<br />

Composition <strong>of</strong> governance bodies and breakdown<br />

<strong>of</strong> employees per category according to gender,<br />

age group, minority group membership, and other<br />

indicators <strong>of</strong> diversity.<br />

LA14<br />

Social: Human Rights<br />

Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

Ratio <strong>of</strong> basic salary <strong>of</strong> men to women by employee<br />

category.<br />

Investment and procurement practices<br />

HR1<br />

Percentage and total number <strong>of</strong> significant<br />

investment agreements that include human rights<br />

clauses or that have undergone human rights<br />

screening.<br />

HR2<br />

Percentage <strong>of</strong> significant suppliers and contractors<br />

that have undergone screening on human rights and<br />

actions taken.<br />

HR3<br />

Total hours <strong>of</strong> employee training on policies and<br />

procedures concerning aspects <strong>of</strong> human rights<br />

that are relevant to operations, including the<br />

percentage <strong>of</strong> employees trained.<br />

Non-discrimination<br />

HR4<br />

Total number <strong>of</strong> incidents <strong>of</strong> discrimination and<br />

actions taken.<br />

Freedom <strong>of</strong> association and collective bargaining<br />

HR5<br />

Operations identified in which the right to exercise<br />

freedom <strong>of</strong> association and collective bargaining<br />

may be at significant risk, and actions taken to<br />

support these rights.<br />

Child labor<br />

HR6<br />

R Page 67<br />

R Page 67<br />

R Page 67<br />

R Page 69<br />

PR Page 82<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Operations identified as having significant risk for<br />

incidents <strong>of</strong> child labor, and measures taken to<br />

contribute to the elimination <strong>of</strong> child labor.<br />

Forced and compulsory labor<br />

HR7<br />

Operations identified as having significant risk<br />

for incidents <strong>of</strong> forced or compulsory labor, and<br />

measures to contribute to the elimination <strong>of</strong> forced<br />

or compulsory labor.<br />

NA<br />

NR<br />

NR<br />

R None reported: page 68<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

GRI index 145


GRI index<br />

GRI index continued<br />

Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

Security practices<br />

HR8<br />

Indigenous rights<br />

HR9<br />

Social: Society<br />

Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

Community<br />

SO1<br />

Corruption<br />

SO2<br />

SO3<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Percentage <strong>of</strong> security personnel trained in the<br />

organisation’s policies or procedures concerning<br />

aspects <strong>of</strong> human rights that are relevant to<br />

operations.<br />

Total number <strong>of</strong> incidents <strong>of</strong> violations involving<br />

rights <strong>of</strong> indigenous people and actions taken.<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

No incidents reported<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Nature, scope, and effectiveness <strong>of</strong> any programs<br />

and practices that assess and manage the impacts<br />

<strong>of</strong> operations on communities, including entering,<br />

operating, and exiting.<br />

Percentage and total number <strong>of</strong> business units<br />

analyzed for risks related to corruption.<br />

Percentage <strong>of</strong> employees trained in organisation’s<br />

anti-corruption policies and procedures.<br />

PR<br />

Ngara Yura program<br />

reported at pages 25–27<br />

PR Pages 83–84<br />

PR<br />

Senior executives<br />

SO4 Actions taken in response to incidents <strong>of</strong> corruption. NA No incidents reported<br />

Public policy<br />

SO5<br />

Public policy positions and participation in public<br />

R<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> governance<br />

policy development and lobbying.<br />

SO6<br />

Total value <strong>of</strong> financial and in-kind contributions to<br />

political parties, politicians, and related institutions<br />

by country.<br />

NA<br />

<strong>Commission</strong> makes no<br />

contributions to political<br />

parties or politicians<br />

Anti-competitive behavior<br />

SO7<br />

Total number <strong>of</strong> legal actions for anti-competitive<br />

behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices and<br />

their outcomes.<br />

Compliance<br />

SO8<br />

Social: Product Responsibility<br />

Monetary value <strong>of</strong> significant fines and total number<br />

<strong>of</strong> non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with<br />

laws and regulations.<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

No legal actions for anticompetitive<br />

behaviour,<br />

anti-trust, and monopoly<br />

practices and their<br />

outcomes<br />

No significant fines and<br />

no monetary sanctions for<br />

non-compliance with laws<br />

and regulations<br />

146 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11


Performance<br />

Indicator<br />

Customer health and safety<br />

PR1<br />

Life cycle stages in which health and safety<br />

impacts <strong>of</strong> products and services are assessed<br />

for improvement, and percentage <strong>of</strong> significant<br />

products and services categories subject to such<br />

procedures.<br />

PR2<br />

Description Reported Cross-reference/Direct<br />

answer<br />

Total number <strong>of</strong> incidents <strong>of</strong> non-compliance with<br />

regulations and voluntary codes concerning health<br />

and safety impacts <strong>of</strong> products and services during<br />

their life cycle, by type <strong>of</strong> outcomes.<br />

Product and service labelling<br />

PR3<br />

Type <strong>of</strong> product and service information required<br />

by procedures, and percentage <strong>of</strong> significant<br />

products and services subject to such information<br />

requirements.<br />

PR4<br />

PR5<br />

Total number <strong>of</strong> incidents <strong>of</strong> non-compliance with<br />

regulations and voluntary codes concerning product<br />

and service information and labeling, by type <strong>of</strong><br />

outcomes.<br />

Practices related to customer satisfaction, including<br />

results <strong>of</strong> surveys measuring customer satisfaction.<br />

Marketing communications<br />

PR6<br />

Programs for adherence to laws, standards,<br />

and voluntary codes related to marketing<br />

communications, including advertising, promotion,<br />

and sponsorship.<br />

PR7<br />

Customer privacy<br />

PR8<br />

Compliance<br />

PR9<br />

Total number <strong>of</strong> incidents <strong>of</strong> non-compliance<br />

with regulations and voluntary codes concerning<br />

marketing communications, including advertising,<br />

promotion, and sponsorship by type <strong>of</strong> outcomes.<br />

Total number <strong>of</strong> substantiated complaints regarding<br />

breaches <strong>of</strong> customer privacy and losses <strong>of</strong><br />

customer data.<br />

Monetary value <strong>of</strong> significant fines for noncompliance<br />

with laws and regulations concerning<br />

the provision and use <strong>of</strong> products and services.<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

R<br />

NA<br />

NA<br />

Throughout this annual<br />

report<br />

None: page 85<br />

None<br />

Annual Report <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> 2010–11<br />

Published by the <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> 2011<br />

ISSN 1441-8444<br />

Cost: The total external costs incurred in the<br />

production <strong>of</strong> this report were $12,200<br />

Format: The Annual Report is also available on the<br />

<strong>Commission</strong>’s website at www.judcom.<br />

nsw.gov.au<br />

Writer:<br />

Designer:<br />

Printer:<br />

Kate Lumley<br />

Lorraine Beal<br />

ASAP Press<br />

Photography: Smarter Digital, Oneill<br />

Photographics, Tribal Warrior<br />

Association and <strong>Commission</strong> staff<br />

This report is printed on Silk Matte<br />

— ISO 14001 which is elemental<br />

chlorine free and sourced from<br />

sustainable forest management.<br />

Environment<br />

ISO 14001<br />

GRI index 147


Five-year overview<br />

Continuing judicial education<br />

2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> judicial education days per year 1,486 1,294 1,396 1,554 1,389<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> educational programs 28 34 38 39 37<br />

Overall satisfaction rating with judicial education programs 90% 91% 90% 91% 93%<br />

% <strong>of</strong> voluntary attendance at annual conferences 92% 88% 86% 90% 93%<br />

% <strong>of</strong> voluntary attendance at magistrates’ induction/orientation programs 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%<br />

Average number <strong>of</strong> training days <strong>of</strong>fered per judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer per court<br />

5.1 4.9 5 5.2 5.3<br />

(excluding orientation programs)<br />

Average number <strong>of</strong> training days undertaken per judicial <strong>of</strong>ficer 5 4.4 4.8 5.3 4.7<br />

% <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers who attended at least 2 days <strong>of</strong> judicial training 92% 88% 86% 90% 93%<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> publications (including bench book updates, bulletins, journals,<br />

education monographs and training DVDs)*<br />

20 27 24 23 23<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> computer training sessions 120 105 67 43 26<br />

Total help desk enquiries 582 685 523 408 327<br />

Research and sentencing<br />

JIRS usage (average page hits per month) 45,898 56,722 77,684 84,312 88,704<br />

% <strong>of</strong> JIRS availability 99% 99% 99% 99% 99%<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> enhancements to JIRS 4 5 8 11 10<br />

Timeliness <strong>of</strong> sentencing material on JIRS<br />

– Recent Law items posted on JIRS – 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks<br />

– Judgments (within number <strong>of</strong> days <strong>of</strong> receipt) 1 day 1 day 1 day 1 day 1 day<br />

– Summaries <strong>of</strong> important judgments (within number <strong>of</strong> weeks <strong>of</strong> receipt) 3 weeks 1–4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks 6 weeks<br />

– Sentencing statistics loaded on JIRS (within number <strong>of</strong> months <strong>of</strong> receipt) 1–3<br />

months<br />

2<br />

months<br />

1–3<br />

months<br />

1–4<br />

months<br />

1–4<br />

months<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> sentencing trends papers and monographs 4 3 2 2 3<br />

Timely Sentencing Bench Book updates 2 5 4 3 3<br />

Timely updates to the Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book 4 3 6 4 3<br />

Lawcodes: % <strong>of</strong> new and amended <strong>of</strong>fences coded and distributed within<br />

4 days <strong>of</strong> commencement<br />

100% 100% 100% 100% 100%<br />

Examining complaints<br />

% <strong>of</strong> complaints acknowledged within 1 week <strong>of</strong> receipt 100% 100% 100% 100% 98%<br />

% <strong>of</strong> complaints examined within 6 months <strong>of</strong> receipt 97% 99% 92% 91% 95%<br />

% <strong>of</strong> complaints examined within 12 months <strong>of</strong> receipt 100% 100% 100% 98% 100%<br />

Complaints received (number) 53 66 55 70 60<br />

Complaints examined (number) 58 66 49 64 56<br />

Our organisation<br />

Inhouse staff (number) 39 39 39 38 38<br />

Length <strong>of</strong> service: 5 years or greater 62% 61% 59% 73% 68%<br />

Freedom <strong>of</strong> information requests 0 0 0 0 0<br />

Environmental sustainability<br />

Total energy used 552GJ 433GJ 550GJ 521GJ 503GJ<br />

% <strong>of</strong> recycled paper used 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%<br />

Financial management<br />

Revenue from Parliament $4.763 M $4.757 M $4.645 M $4.944 M $5.395 M<br />

Retained revenue (sale <strong>of</strong> goods & services, investment income, etc) $702,000 $598,000 $678,000 $687,000 $681,000<br />

Expenditure $5.024 M $5.375 M $5.471 M $5.655 M $6.094 M<br />

* We changed our measure to include Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book updates in Research and sentencing: see p 36.<br />

148 <strong>Judicial</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>NSW</strong> Annual Report 2010–11

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