Advanced Judicial Skills and Techniques, May 2025

Court craft skills are a powerful, specific and critical judicial skills. This program has been designed and developed based on years of feedback from judicial officers seeking a deeply practical skills-based program, tailored for judicial officers who have at least three to six years of experience of the bench.

While the judicial learning opportunities offered will provide an opportunity to confirm effective court-craft practices, through small-group, experiential learning session, judicial officers will also discover new strategies, tips and techniques that can be immediately applied in the courtroom context for enhanced productivity and performance.

A conscious refocussing and redefining of judicial court-craft skills promotes inclusivity, accelerates judicial proficiency levels and harnesses the full potential of hard-working judicial officers. The program will explore the core judicial values and how such values can be expressed through the application of best-practice judicial skills.

Participants will receive comprehensive individualised feedback, contemporary and ready to use materials and experienced judicial officer insights to help implement the skills, techniques and ideas explored.

Several program sessions will be streamed so as to cater to both judicial officers from across jurisdictions and court hierarchies, including those who preside over criminal and/or civil cases.

The program provides:

•  a learning experience specifically aimed at enhancing court-craft skills

•  facilitation by experienced judges with substantial experience on the bench

• delivery using relevant, practical tools and tips for more efficient and effective judging

• a high level of interactivity including small group discussions designed to facilitate exploration of the issues explored

• Explore the intricacies of discretion and fact finding
• Apply techniques required to manage the high conflict courtroom
• Synthesise strategies to apply when preparing for and running a complex trial
• Identify best practice court-craft skills and strategies to employ when cases involve self-represented litigants
• Apply techniques to address the needs of querulent litigants and sovereign citizens in efficient, fair and decisive manner within the judicial context
• Analyse advanced civil and criminal case management practices
• Unpack expert evidence and the scope of the gatekeeper role

Balancing the principles of a fair but efficient trial is critical for the ongoing administration of justice.

This program allows participants to explore advanced skills and techniques designed to identify, frame and resolve difficult issues through best practice court-craft skills.

This is a non-residential program.

Flights and accommodation are not included in the registration fee.