Unit Eleven Judicial Self-care and longevity on the bench
A National Curriculum
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.
A National Curriculum
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.
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.
A National Curriculum
Core Judicial Qualities
- Independence
- Impartiality
- Fairness
- Accountability
- Efficiency
- Transparency
- Competency
- Integrity
- Courage
- Compassion
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.
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
Fairness
Being patient and respectful, allowing litigants to present their case and ensuring the absence of actual or perceived bias
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.
Efficiency
Ensuring the reasonably timely resolution of cases.
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.
Competency
Having sound knowledge of the relevant law and procedure as well as good court craft skills
Integrity
Displaying intellectual honesty, respect and placing the obligations of judicial office above personal interests both inside and outside the courtroom.
Courage
Doing justice according to law irrespective of the consequences or popularity of the decision
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.
A National Curriculum
Judicial Learning Units
Aim
These programs help judicial officers to manage their own time effectively.
Scope
The programs encompass –
- Managing one’s time, both in and out of the courtroom
- 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.
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.
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
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