How to become a Judge
Judges preside over civil and criminal proceedings in courts of law, ensuring trials are run fairly and according to the rules of law and evidence.
Personal requirements for a Judge
- Mature and responsible
- Honest, firm and fair
- Be of good standing within the community
- Able to deal with public scrutiny
- Good knowledge of Commonwealth and state law, legal history and court processes
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Able to understand, analyse and use facts quickly and logically
- Able to work under pressure and deal with a variety of people
- Australian citizenship.
Duties & Tasks of a Judge
Judges may perform the following tasks:
- Conduct trials and hearings
- Hear and consider legal arguments, evidence and submissions
- Decide appeals and determine questions of law according to established procedures
- Instruct juries on matters of law
- Ensurethat no improper evidence is given to the jury
- Enforce court processes and rules during a hearing in order to ensure a fair trial
- Conduct tribunals, royal commissions and other official inquiries
- Determine constitutional issues and questions
- Pass judgements and sentences, award damages and issue court orders
- Write judgements after the case, including detailed descriptions of their reasons
- Read and research previous cases, other judges' decisions and legislation in order to stay up to date with changes and legal precedents.
Working conditions for a Judge
Judges may be required to work long hours depending on the requirements of the cases over which they are presiding.
Specializations
Master
A master exercises judicial powers as a deputy of the judges. With limited exceptions, masters perform all of the work of a judge. Masters often are responsible for a particular judicial office and hear most matters in this area such as compensation cases or pre-trial hearings.
Judge
Judges preside over civil and criminal proceedings in courts of law, ensuring trials are run fairly and according to the rules of law and evidence.
Master
A master exercises judicial powers as a deputy of the judges. With limited exceptions, masters perform all of the work of a judge. Masters often are responsible for a particular judicial office and hear most matters in this area such as compensation cases or pre-trial hearings.
