National Judicial College of Australia

The National Judicial Orientation Program has been presented every year since 1994. The program has been developed by a steering committee of experienced judges and judicial education professionals drawn from courts and educational bodies throughout Australia. The primary objective of the program is to assist newly appointed judicial officers with their transition to judicial office by facilitating the development and refinement of the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for effective judging. The program will offer insights into the role and responsibilities of a member of the judiciary, provide the opportunity for new appointees to benefit from the knowledge and experience of senior judges who attend the program as speakers, and allow an exchange of ideas and experiences among participants. The program is a residential program starting Sunday evening with a familiarisation session and ending on Friday. Prior to the program participants are asked to read some pre-reading material. Many of the sessions are interactive, relying on discussion by participants and using practically based case scenarios.

In partnership with the ANU College of Law, the National Judicial College of Australia will present the biennial Conference on 4 and 5 March 2017.

The theme of the conference will be Brave New Worlds: Challenges for Evidence in the 21st Century.

This program has been developed for the Australian judiciary and is designed to enhance participants’ judgment writing skills through analysis, discussion and rewriting of judgments in small groups. The program is hands-on and where participants are assisted by professional writers and senior judges.