A National Curriculum for Australian Judicial Officers

Unit Eleven Judicial Self-care and longevity on the bench

Rationale

Judicial officers perform their work under considerable pressure. They need to maintain their physical and mental health. Doing so helps them perform their role more efficiently and effectively.

Aim of this Unit

Professional development activities should help judicial officers –

  • to maintain their health and well-being
  • to prepare for their retirement.

Application of the Core Dimensions

Substantive and Procedural Law

Programs in this unit might cover any relevant law and procedure.

Judge Craft Skills

Programs in this unit might cover how judicial officers can best manage their workload, stress levels and physical and psychological health.

Social Context

Programs in this unit might cover preparing for life after the bench while enjoying life on the bench.

Attitudes and Values

Programs in this unit might include fostering emotional awareness and encouraging judicial officers to reflect on their own views about workloads and seeking assistance regarding stress levels or psychological issues.

Core Judicial Qualities

Independence

The courts remain independent of the other branches of government and judicial officers are not subject to improper pressure or influence when making decisions. 10

Impartiality

This requires ‘treating like cases alike; a process which is free from coercion or corruption; ensuring that inequality between the parties does not influence the outcome of the process; adherence to the values of procedural fairness…and unbiased neutral decision making…’ 11

Fairness

Being patient and respectful, allowing litigants to present their case and ensuring the absence of actual or perceived bias 12

Accountability

open court principles, annual reports identifying expenditure, rights to appeal, as well as giving reasons, noting the variation in this value for those in leadership roles. 13

Efficiency

Ensuring the reasonably timely resolution of cases. 14

Transparency

Maintaining an open rather than closed court as far as possible and providing clear and reasoned decisions that are publicly available as far as possible. 15

Competency

Having sound knowledge of the relevant law and procedure as well as good court craft skills 16

Integrity

Displaying intellectual honesty, respect and placing the obligations of judicial office above personal interests both inside and outside the courtroom. 17

Courage

Doing justice according to law irrespective of the consequences or popularity of the decision 18

Compassion

Compassion involves recognising the suffering of others and wanting to alleviate it. Within the constraints of the law, judicial officers can show compassion through procedural fairness, judicial engagement (exploring underlying issues and empowering a party to address them) and other therapeutic jurisprudence practices.

Programs

10.1 - These programs help judicial officers to manage their own time effectively.

Aim

These programs help judicial officers to manage their own time effectively.

Scope

The programs encompass –
managing one’s time, in and out of the court room
list and diary management
managing reserved judgments
techniques for managing a busy court
meetings and committee work.

The Judicial Role

The focus of these programs is the role of judicial officers to maintain their health and well-being.

11.2 - Health and Well-Being

Aim

These programs help judicial officers to maintain their health and ensure their own well-being.

Scope

The programs could encompass –
stress management and a balanced lifestyle
maintenance of one’s psychological and physical health
supporting the well-being of fellow judicial officers and court staff.

The Judicial Role

The focus of these programs is the role of the judicial officers to maintain their health and well-being.

11.3 - Emotional awareness and emotional management skills

Aim

These programs assist judicial officers to reinforce their emotional awareness and the skills required for effective emotional management.

Scope

Programs could encompass–
the nature of emotional awareness and being more self-aware
emotional awareness and resilience
emotional awareness and building effective relationships
supporting the well-being of fellow judicial officers and court staff

11.4 - Vicarious trauma

Aim

These programs assist judicial officers to recognise and effectively mitigate vicarious trauma.

Scope

Programs could encompas– the nature of vicarious trauma and how it arises recognising the signs of vicarious trauma developing resilience and practical strategies to mitigate the risk of vicarious trauma how to manage vicarious trauma if it develops supporting the well-being of fellow judicial officers and court staff

Footnotes