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Judicial Professional Development ‘The community expects nothing less than a contemporary, modern and well-informed judiciary.’ Attorney- General, May 2007 On May 24, 2007 the Attorney-General in introducing new legislation regarding professional development for judicial offi cers said, ‘the community expects nothing less than a contemporary, modern and well informed judiciary’. During the year, Judges attended 290 days of formal professional development conducted by: the Court at its annual seminar, the Judicial College of Victoria (JCV) and the National Judicial Orientation Program. The Annual Judges’ Seminar At the County Court Judges Annual Seminar held from March 7 to 9, 2007, Malcolm Knox, author of ‘Secrets of the Jury Room’ gave the audience a perspective of the experience of a trial through the eyes of a juror; Professor Tim Lindsey, of the Asia Law Centre, Melbourne University, addressed the issue of the relationship between Islam and the Australian legal system; and Dr Karda Cavanagh provided a most thought provoking discussion on the health and well-being of the judiciary. A number of ‘break-out’ sessions promoted lively discussion. These sessions included Propensity Evidence, Chronic Pain in Serious Injury, Sentencing Guilty Plea and Courtesy from Judges. Participation in Judicial College of Victoria Activities Judges of the Court were again strong supporters the JCV’s work and its programs: • JCV Board Chief Judge Rozenes • JCV Syllabus Advisory Committee Judge Wodak, Judge Wilmoth • Skills Development Steering Committees Topics: Court Craft, Judgment Writing, JOIN Management Group, JOIN Sentencing Statistics User Group Judge Lawson, Judge Rizkalla, Judge Wodak, Chief Judge Rozenes, Judge Strong, Judge Sexton • Social Context Steering Committees Topics: The Lore of Family Violence Training Packages, Islamic Cultural Awareness Workshops, Sexual Assault Education Framework Judge Hogan, Judge Wilmoth, Judge Sexton • Substantive Law and Practice Steering Committees Workshops: Child Witness Workshop, Conscientiousness of Guilt Workshop, Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, Propensity in Sexual Assault Workshop The new judicial induction program’s fi rst participants were (left to right) Judge Parsons, Judge Pullen, Judge Howard and Judge Hannan 14 County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report
Judicial Professional Development Judge Sexton, Judge Coate, Judge Douglas, Judge Gullaci, Judge Davis, Judge Harbison, Judge Dyett • Publications’ Editorial Committees Criminal Charge Book Judge Rizkalla, Judge Douglas, Judge Pullen, Judge Duggan, Judge Sexton, Judge Punshon Victorian Sentencing Manual Judge Douglas Establishment of the Judicial Induction Program In August 2006, the Chief Judge introduced a new two-week judicial induction program, designed to provide newly appointed Judges with resources and support to ensure a positive introduction to their new role. The program includes: an information pack of materials; formal mentoring; time for observation in court; procedural sessions run by experienced Judges; a formal swearing-in and welcome; and time to prepare for fi rst sitting in court. The program caters for the needs of each newly appointed Judge. During the year, six Judges were inducted using this program. Feedback has been very positive. National Judicial Orientation Program Judge Grant, Judge Parsons, Judge Pullen, Judge Howard, Judge Hannan and Judge Murphy participated in the National Judicial Orientation Program held in Sydney in October 2006 and in Melbourne in May 2007. This national week-long program allows Judges to gain valuable insight into working as judicial offi cers. Court Craft Program Following the successful introduction of the Court Craft program in 2005-06, three judicial offi cers participated in the program in 2006-07. The program has two components: participation in a 360 degree feedback survey and a communication skills workshop. The aim is to offer Judges insights into how they are perceived by their peers, what their strengths and weaknesses might be, and provides opportunities for self refl ection. Following the survey, participants attended a one-day communications skills workshop to learn and practise new techniques to enhance their bench skills. All participants agreed that 360 degree feedback is worthwhile for judicial offi cers. Biennial District and County Court Judges Conference – Perth, June 26-July 1, 2007 35 Judges travelled to attend the conference with judges from all Australian states and New Zealand. The keynote address was given by Richard Bourke, barrister, the Louisiana Capital Assistance Centre, USA on Life, Death and the Law. The program provided opportunities to challenge current thinking and consider new ideas about judicial work. Other Conference Attendances Among the conferences attended by Judges in the reporting year were: 24th AIJA Annual Conference Chief Judge Rozenes, Judge Curtain, Judge Wodak and Judge Anderson attended this conference held in Adelaide from 15 to 17 September 2006. The focus of the conference was ‘Affordable Justice’. Sessions included measuring Court performance from a quality perspective; causes of delay in the criminal justice system; alternatives to adversarial hearings and sentence indications; and funding civil litigation. Judicial Conference of Australia Colloquium This annual colloquium was held in Canberra from 6 to 8 October, 2006. Topics considered included Judicial Ethics in the 21st Century; Court Governance and Judicial Independence; Suppression Orders; and Judicial Appointments. The Court was represented by the Chief Judge and Judge Curtain. Judges’ Contribution to Professional Development within the legal profession The Chief Judge spoke with each new group of Bar Readers during their professional program to welcome them as barristers who will shortly be appearing in court and to encourage them in their professional development. Judges also presided over moots conducted as part of the Bar Readers course. Several Judges participate each year in ‘Life in the Law’, a program sponsored by the Law Institute of Victoria which provides young legal practitioners the opportunity to engage with senior and successful members of the profession. Judicial Offi cers Information Network web site. www.countycourt.vic.gov.au 15
Page 1 and 2: County Court of Victoria Moving Ahe
Page 3 and 4: Contents Year at a Glance 2 Report
Page 5 and 6: Report of the Chief Judge Sequam In
Page 7 and 8: Working with the Community It is no
Page 9 and 10: Criminal Jurisdiction Number 6000 5
Page 11 and 12: Civil Jurisdiction Number 12000 100
Page 13 and 14: Court Governance Council of Judges
Page 15: Supporting the Judges of the Court
Page 19 and 20: Service Delivery and Sharing our Fa
Page 21 and 22: Court Links with External Organisat
Page 23 and 24: Moving Ahead The County Court of Vi

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