annual report 2006-07 · annual report 2006–2007 3 service measures measuring how well the...

Annual Report

2006–2007

Excellence in judicial performance

Judicial Commission of NSW

The Commission’s role

The Judicial Commission of New South Wales is an independent statutory corporation and part of the judicial arm of government. The Commission was established under the Judicial Officers Act 1986 to:

• provide continuing education and training for judicial officers

• assist courts to achieve consistency in imposing sentences

• examine complaints against judicial officers.

The Commission’s work helps to maintain public confidence in the judiciary and improve the quality and efficiency of judicial decision-making.

The Commission is an important component of the NSW justice sector. It works closely with the judiciary, courts, the Attorney General’s Department, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, the Legal Aid Commission, the Sentencing Council and other justice sector agencies to improve the delivery of justice to the people of NSW. The Commission is recognised as a world leader in judicial education, sentencing research and judicial support systems. Other similar Australian and international organisations have modelled their activities on its programs.

The Commission receives its own funding from the NSW Parliament and is required to report annually to Parliament.

Our vision

Excellence in judicial performance

Our purposeTo assist judicial officers attain excellence in judicial performance

Our valuesIntegrity. Teamwork. Trust. Responsiveness. Impartiality. Fairness. Confidentiality. Transparency. Innovation. Professionalism. Continuous Improvement. Consistency.

Who we serveThe Commission provides its services to NSW judicial officers, the courts, other justice sector agencies, and the public of NSW.

Meeting community expectationsThe community expects judicial officers to be competent and to conduct themselves in a professional manner. The Commission meets community expectations by:

• providingawayforthecommunitytocomplainabout the ability or behaviour of judicial officers through our complaints function

• usingvaluableinformationgatheredfromcomplaints to tailor and design future education and training sessions, as well as publications

• takingaccountofcommunityvaluesindeveloping our education programs. The Commission receives input about issues the community perceives as relevant to the continuing education of judicial officers through the community members on the Judicial Commission, staff representation on interagency committees, approaches from interest groups, and presentations by independent experts at educational sessions.

Annual Report 2006–2007 �

• Published the Sentencing Bench Bookwhichwillgreatlyassistjudicialofficersinimposingsentences,promoteconsistencyinsentencingandenhancepublicconfidenceinthejudiciary:seepage26

• Completed development of theCivil Trials Bench Bookandamonographonstatutoryinterpretation:seepage20

• Published three major research studiestoprovidejudicialofficerswithdetailedinformationaboutsentencingpractice:seepage26

• Increased by 14% the number of education days attended by judicial officerstohelppromotehighstandardsofjudicialperformance:seepage16

• Conducted 15 professional development sessionsonaspectsofsexualassaulttoensurethatjudicialofficersarekeptup-to-dateaboutlegislativedevelopmentsandrecentcaselawintheareaofsexualassault,aswellasthejudicialroleinsexualassaultcases:seepage15

• Improved the structure and content of JIRSleadingtoanincreaseinusageof23%:seepage24

• Determined 100% of complaints within eight months of receipt,ensuringthatcomplaintsareresolvedinatimelyandefficientmannerandenhancingcommunityconfidenceinthejudiciary:seepage28

• Received the 2006 Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration’s Award for Excellence in Judicial AdministrationfortheEquality before the Law Bench Book:seepage20

• Maintained a consistent standard of annual reporting,withour2005–06annualreportreceivingaSilverAwardfromtheAustralasianReportingAwardsforthefourthyearinarow

• Develop more interactive education sessionstailoredtotheworkofjudicialofficers

• Develop additional distance learning resourcestoimprovetheeducationalopportunitiesforjudicialofficersinregionalNSW

• Provide advanced level judgment writing workshopstohelpjudicialofficersimprovetheirwritingskills

• Provide new publicationstohelpjudicialofficerswiththeirwork,includingaSexual Assault Handbook,theCivil Trials Bench Bookandamonographonstatutoryinterpretation

Key achievements in 2006–07

Key future directions in 2007–08

• Monitor the impact on sentencingofthestandardnon-paroleperiodoffencelegislation

• Launch the sentencing statistics databaseforcriminalmattersdealtwithintheLandandEnvironmentCourt

• Provide more training and skills development opportunitiesforstaffinordertoensurethattheyareequippedtomeettheCommission’schangingneeds

• Further review internal structures and processestoensuretheyprovideeffectivesupportfortheCommission’sactivities

� Judicial Commission of New South Wales

Key ResultsMeasuring how well the Commission met its core responsibilities in 2006–07

Key result area Measures 2005–06 result

2006–07 target

2006–07 result

2007–08 target

Better informed and professional judiciary

• developappropriatejudicialskillsandvalues

• promotehighstandardsofjudicialperformance

%ofvoluntaryattendanceatannualconferences

87% 90% 9�% 90%

%ofvoluntaryattendanceatmagistrates’induction/orientationprograms

�00% �00% �00% �00%

Overallsatisfactionratingwithjudicialeducation

87% 85% 90% 85%

%ofjudicialofficerswhoattendedatleast�daysofjudicialtraining

86% 90% 9�% 90%

Averagenumberoftrainingdaysofferedperjudicialofficerpercourt(excludingorientationprograms)

5.7 5 5.� 5

Consistency in sentencing

• improvesentencingconsistency

• providetimelyandrelevantinformationaboutsentencingpatterns

UpdatestoSentencing Bench Book n/a � � 3

JIRSusage(averagepagehitspermonth) 37,336 30,000 45,898 45,000

%ofuserswhoaresatisfiedwithJIRS† n/a n/a n/a 80%

Effective complaint handling

• complainantshaveaccesstoaccurateandhelpfulinformationandadvice

• complaintsareinvestigatedinatimelyandeffectivemanner

%ofcomplaintsfinalisedwithin��months �00% �00% �00% �00%

%ofcomplaintsforwhichfurtheractionrequired

��% �0% �0% �0%

† An online user survey will be conducted in 2007–08.

Annual Report 2006–2007 3

Service Measures Measuring how well the Commission performed in delivering its services in 2006–07

Program area Service measures 2005–06 result

2006–07 target

2006–07 result

2007–08 target

Judicial education

Offeringanextensiveconferenceandseminarprogramforjudicialofficers(seepage�4)

Numberofjudicialeducationdaysperannum �,300 �,300 �,486 �,300

Averagenumberoftrainingdaysundertakenperjudicialofficer(nationalstandardis5days)

4.4 5 5 5

Publishingprofessionalreferencematerial(seepage�0)

Numberofpublications(includingbenchbookupdates,bulletins,journals,educationmonographs,trainingDVDsandconferencepapers)

�� 3 �4 �7

Providingcomputertrainingandhelpdesk(seepage��)

Numberofcomputertrainingsessions ��0 �00 ��0 �50

%ofhelpdeskcallsresolvedwithin�5minutes 80% 80% 80% 80%

Research and sentencing

ProvidingonlinestatisticalandlegalinformationthroughtheJudicialInformationResearchSystem(JIRS)(seepage��)

%ofJIRSavailability 99% 95% 99% 95%

NumberofenhancementstoJIRS 3 3 4 3

TimelinessofsentencingmaterialonJIRS

–RecentLawitemspostedonJIRS – – – �weeks

–Judgments(withinnumberofdaysofreceipt) �day �day �day �day

–Summariesofimportantjudgments(withinnumberofweeksofreceipt)

�weeks �weeks 3weeks 4weeks

–SentencingstatisticsloadedonJIRS(withinnumberofmonthsofreceipt)

�months �months �–3months �months

Undertakingoriginalresearchandanalysisofaspectsofsentencing(seepage�6)

Numberofsentencingtrendspapers,monographsandSentencing Bench Bookupdates

� 5 6 6

Providingresearchassistancetojudicialofficers(seepage�7)

%ofcallsresolvedwithin�days 80% 80% 80% 80%

MaintaininganddevelopingtheLawcodesdatabase(seepage�7)

Codeanddistributenewandamendedoffencesbeforetheircommencement

�00% �00% �00% �00%

%ofuserenquiriesresolvedwithin�4hours �00% �00% �00% �00%

Complaints against judicial officers

Examiningcomplaintsinatimelyandefficientmanner(seepage�8)

%ofcomplaintsacknowledgedwithin�weekofreceipt

�00% �00% �00% �00%

%ofcomplaintsfinalisedwithin6monthsofreceipt

95% 90% 97% 90%

%ofcomplaintsfinalisedwithin��monthsofreceipt

�00% �00% �00% �00%

4 Judicial Commission of New South Wales

4October2007

TheHonourableJHatzistergosMLC

AttorneyGeneral

ParliamentHouse

SydneyNSW2000

DearAttorney

TheJudicialCommissionofNewSouthWaleshaspleasureinpresentingtoyouthereportofitsactivitiesforthe

yearended30June2007.

Thisreportissubmittedinaccordancewithsection49oftheJudicial Officers Act1986andsection12ofthe

Annual Reports (Departments) Act1985.ItisrequiredtobelaidbeforebothHousesofParliament.

Yourssincerely

JJSpigelmanAC EJSchmattPSM

President ChiefExecutive

KeyResults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

ServiceMeasures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

President’sForeword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

ChiefExecutive’sReport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

OurOrganisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

JudicialEducation

contributing to high standards of judicial performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ResearchandSentencing

promoting consistency of approach to sentencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

ComplaintsAgainstJudicialOfficers

promoting judicial accountability through effective complaint handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

CorporateOperations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

FinancialSummary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

FinancialReport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Contents


President’s Foreword

Celebrating 20 years

InOctober2007,theJudicialCommissioncelebrates20yearsofbeingattheforefrontofjudicialeducation,sentencingresearch,complainthandlingandjudicialsupportinNSWandAustralia.

TheCommissionwasestablishedundertheJudicial Officers Act1986inresponsetocommunityconcernsaboutjudicialaccountability.ManyjudicialofficersinitiallyopposedtheCommission’sestablishment,seeingitasathreattojudicialindependence.Professionaldevelopmentforjudicialofficerswasanewconcept:mostmembersofthelegalprofessionatthetimethoughtthatnewlyappointedjudicialofficerscameequippedwithalltheskillstheywouldneedontheBench.

Overthepast20years,theCommissionhastransformedthisattitudebyworkinginpartnershipwithjudicialofficerstodeveloptheirskillsandmeettheirneedsforup-to-datesentencingstatisticsandinformation.ThesuccessandqualityofthejudicialeducationandresearchprogramshasengenderedacceptanceoftheCommission’scomplaintsfunctionamongjudicialofficers.TheindependenceoftheCommissionanditsfocusonjudge-ledprogramsisalsocentraltoitsabilitytocarryoutallthreeofitsfunctions.

Judicial education

Thepast20yearshaveseensignificantchangesintheattitudesofbothjudicialofficersandthewidercommunitytoprofessionaldevelopment:itisnowwidelyacceptedthatongoingprofessionaldevelopmentresultsinimprovedjudicialperformance.

Theamountofjudicialeducationprovidedtojudicialofficershasundergoneamajorexpansion.TheeducationprogrambeganwithaninductionprogramfornewappointeestotheDistrictandLocalCourts,aseminarprogramfortheLocalCourt,andbenchbooksforthecriminaltrialcourtsandtheLocalCourt.Otherpublicationssuchasthe Judicial Officers’ Bulletinsoonfollowed.TheCommissionnowprovidesNSWjudicialofficerswithacomprehensivejudicialeducationprogramcoveringorientationprograms,anannualconferenceforeachcourt,computertraining,seminarsontopicalissues,skilldevelopmentworkshops,benchbooksandotherprofessionalresourcematerial.In2007,judicialofficersattended1,486daysofjudicialeducationacross28educationalprogramsandalljudicialofficersinNSWareofferedatleasttwodaysofjudicialeducationannually.

Sentencing information

OneoftheCommission’searliestprioritieswastodevelopanonlinejudicialdecision-supportsystem.Alongwiththerestofsociety,theuseofcomputershastransformedthejudiciary.TheCommissionhashelpedleadthistransformationbydevelopingasystemdesignedtoprovidejudicialofficerswithaccesstoaccuratesentencinginformationinordertoachieveconsistencyinimposingsentences.

OriginallylaunchedastheSentencingInformationSystemin1990,thesystemhasundergonecontinualenhancementsandrefinementstoensureitbestmeetstheneedsofjudicialofficers.RelaunchedasJIRSin1996,thesystemnowcontainscaselaw,legislation,recentlegaldevelopments,sentencingprinciples,benchbooks,publications,asentencingcalculatorandsentencingstatistics.UsageofJIRScontinuestogrowandithasbecomeanindispensabletooltohelpjudicialofficerswiththedifficulttaskofsentencing.

TheCommission’sworkintheareaofsentencingculminatedthisyearinthepublicationoftheSentencing Bench Book,aguidetothelegalprinciplesthatgovernsentencinginNSW.


TheSentencing Bench BookisanimportantpublicationandtheresourcescommittedbytheCommissiontocompletingandmaintainingthebenchbookreflecttheimportanceitplacesonprovidingjudicialofficerswiththeinformationtheyneedtoimproveconsistencyinsentencingandreducethepossibilityofsentencingerror.

IntheCommission’searlyyears,muchofthesentencinginformationitprovidedwasonlyavailabletojudges.Inrecentyears,theCommissionhasconsciouslyincreasedtheavailabilityofsentencinginformationtothelegalcommunityandthewiderpublicbymakingJIRSavailableovertheinternettosubscribers,andbyplacingmuchofitssentencinginformationontheCommission’swebsite.BoththeCriminal Trial Courts Bench BookandtheSentencing Bench Book,forexample,arefreelyavailableontheCommission’swebsitetoallusers.

Complaints

TheCommission’scomplaintsfunctionprovidesanimportantmechanismbywhichpeoplecancomplainabouttheabilityorbehaviourofjudicialofficers.Inthepast20years,theCommissionhasreceivedandexaminedapproximately1,500complaintsaboutjudicialofficers.Lessthan2%ofthesehavebeenreferredtoaConductDivisionforinvestigationandonlythreecomplaintshaveresultedinreportswhichhavebeenreferredtoparliamentforconsiderationoftheremovalofthejudicialofficercomplainedaboutfromoffice.

Byitsveryexistence,thecomplaintsfunctionhelpspromotejudicialaccountability:althoughnojudicialofficershavebeenremovedbyparliamentinthepast20years,sixjudicialofficersunderinvestigationhaveretiredorresignedduringtheCommission’sexaminationofthecomplaint.

Outlook

TheworkoftheCommissionoverthelast20yearshasledtoincreasedpublicconfidenceinthejudiciaryandtheirsentencingdecisions.AllthreeoftheCommission’sfunctions—judicialeducation,theprovisionofsentencinginformationandcomplainthandling—worktogethertopromoteexcellenceinjudicialperformance.TheCommissionwillcontinuetorespondtothechangingdemandsonthejudiciarybyprovidinghighqualityjudicialeducationprogramsandsentencinginformation.

TheCommissiongreatlyappreciatesthesupportandencouragementreceivedoverthepast20yearsfromjudicialofficers,thelegalprofession,academicsandthecommunity.IwouldalsothankallstaffoftheCommissionoverthattimefortheirdiligentapplicationtotheirworkinhelpingtheCommissionachievethereputationitenjoys.

JJSpigelmanACPresident


Chief Executive’s Report

ThepastyearhasbeenabusyandchallengingonefortheCommissionanditsstaffasithascontinuedtobuildonthemanyachievementsmadeoverthepast20yearsofitsoperation.WehavestriventomaintainthehigheststandardsofexcellenceinprovidingourservicestothejudicialofficersofNSW,whomakeupapproximatelyone-thirdofalljudicialofficersinAustralia.

Thisyearwehavesoughttoimproveanddevelopouroperationalandmanagementcapabilitytoachievehigherlevelsofefficiency.Thishasincludedreviewingourhumanresourcespractices,implementinganewfinancesystemtostreamlinethemaintenanceofaccounts,andimplementinganewhumanresourcesandpayrollsystemtoimproveproductivity.

ThecompetitionindemandfortheuseofscarcepublicfundsandtheexpectationsforpublicsectormanagementrequiretheCommissiontopursueanincreasinglyflexibleapproachtoachieveitsgoals.Toattaintheappropriatelevelofflexibilityrequiresstaffwhoareabletoadjustquicklytochange.Accordinglyahighpriorityhasbeengiventostafftrainingandskillsdevelopment,inordertoensurethattheCommission’sstaffareequippedtomeetchangingdemandsandorganisationalneeds.TheCommissionhasbeensuccessfulinattracting,developingandretaininghighcalibrestaffwhoareabletomeetthesechallenges.

Therelativelysmallnumberofstaff(39)meansthatitisnotfeasiblefortheCommissiontocontainin-housealltheexpertisenecessarytocarryoutsomeofitshighlyspecialisedtasks.ToaddressthistheCommissionhascalledonbothservingandretiredjudicialofficerstoprovideexpertassistance.ThecloseinvolvementofjudicialofficersinallaspectsoftheCommission’sworkoverthetimeofitsoperationhascontributedimmenselytoitsachievementsandtotheinternationalrecognitionitenjoys.The

continuedsuccessofourprogramswillonlybemetiftheCommissionhasmaximumjudicialsupportandencouragement.

Overthe20yearsofitsoperationNSWjudicialofficershavebeenstrongintheirsupportfortheCommission’swork.Thejudicialeducationcommitteesestablishedineachcourtcomprisejudicialofficerswhoprovideexpertinputintheirowntimetotheplanninganddevelopmentofmanyofourprograms.Thisincludesdeliveryoftheprogramsaspresentersandsessionleadersatseminarsandconferences,andascontributorstothedevelopmentofbenchbooks.WithoutthisinputfromjudicialofficerstheCommissioncouldnotcontinuetoprovidethenumberorqualityofprogramsandwouldrequiretheprovisionofmoreresources.

TheCommission,overmanyyears,hasdevelopedstrongcollaborativelinkswithsimilarorganisations,bothnationallyandinternationally.Theselinkshavebeendevelopedinordertoshareknowledgeandexperience,particularlyintheareasofjudicialeducation,criminologicalresearchandtheexaminationofcomplaintsagainstjudicialofficers.TheCommissionhasthroughtheseexchangesestablishedamostvaluablenetworkwhichbenefitsbothitandtheotherorganisations.DetailsofthesecollaborativelinksareprovidedatAppendix13tothisreport.

IthasbeenmygreatpleasuretohavebeeninvolvedineveryaspectoftheCommission’sworksincethecommencementofitsoperationin1987.Ithasbeen,andcontinuestobe,anexcitingandchallengingorganisationtobeinvolvedwith.IwishtothankallstaffwhohaveworkeddiligentlytoachievetheCommission’sgoals.Thehighproductivitythisyearandthefactthatwehavemetthemajorityofourtargetsisanindicationofthecommitmentanddedicationofthosestaff.

InconclusionIwouldliketothankthePresidentandCommissionmembersfortheirleadership,supportandguidanceatalltimesandparticularlythroughoutthisyear.

EJSchmattPSMChiefExecutive


Our OrganisationMEMBERS OF THE JUDICIAL COMMISSIONAsprescribedbytheJudicial Officers Act1986,theJudicialCommissionconsistsofsixofficialmembers,beingtheheadsofjurisdictionoftheState’sfivecourtsandthePresidentoftheCourtofAppeal,andfourmembersappointedbytheGovernorofNewSouthWales.ThePresidentoftheCommissionistheChiefJusticeofNewSouthWales.

The Honourable Chief Justice James Spigelman ACwasappointedChiefJusticeofNewSouthWaleson25May1998andhasoccupiedthepositionofPresidentoftheCommissionfromthatdate.

The Honourable Justice Keith Mason AC wasappointedPresidentoftheCourtofAppealon4February1997andbecameamemberoftheCommissionon1January2004.

The Honourable Justice Lance WrightwasappointedPresidentoftheIndustrialRelationsCommissionon22April1998.

The Honourable Justice Brian Preston wasappointedChiefJudgeoftheLandandEnvironmentCourton14November2005.

The Honourable Justice Reginald Blanch AMwasappointedChiefJudgeoftheDistrictCourton13December1994.

His Honour Judge Derek Price wasappointedChiefMagistrateon12September2002andceasedtobeamemberoftheCommissionon28August2006whenhewasappointedasaJudgeoftheSupremeCourtofNewSouthWales.

His Honour Magistrate Graeme Henson wasappointedChiefMagistrateon28August2006.

Official Members


Ms Margaret Hole AMwasappointedamemberoftheCommissionforthreeyearsfrom24May2006.MsHole,alegalpractitioner,wasappointedfollowingconsultationbytheMinisterwiththePresidentsoftheLawSocietyandBarAssociation:Judicial Officers Act1986,s5(5)(a).

MsHoleisanAccreditedSpecialistinPropertyLawandwasappointedaJudicialMemberoftheAdministrativeDecisionsTribunalin2002.Shehasheldmanyprofessionalappointments,includingPresidentoftheNSWLawSociety,CouncilloroftheLawCouncilofAustralia,ChairofthePropertyLawCommittee,FoundingMemberandChairoftheAboriginalJusticeCommittee,ChairofthePropertyAdvisoryCounciltotheMinisterofFairTrading,ChairoftheMinisterforCALM’sConveyancingTaskForceandMemberoftheLawCouncilofAustralia’sNSWPropertyLawCommittee.ShewasadmittedintheSupremeCourtofNSWasaBarristerin1974andasaSolicitorandProctorin1980.

Dr Michael Dodson AM BJurisprudence LLB (Monash)†

hasbeenamemberoftheCommissionsince4April2001andwasreappointedforthreeyearsfrom16May2007.

ProfessorDodsonisavigorousadvocateoftherightsandinterestsoftheIndigenousPeoplesoftheworld.HeistheDirectoroftheNationalCentreforIndigenousStudiesattheAustralianNationalUniversityinCanberra,ChairpersonoftheAustralianInstituteofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderStudiesandaDirectorofDodson,BaumanandAssociates,LegalandAnthropologicalConsultants.ProfessorDodsonwasAustralia’sfirstAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderSocialJusticeCommissionerwiththeHumanRightsandEqualOpportunityCommission.HeholdsanhonoraryDoctorofLettersfromtheUniversityofTechnologySydneyandanhonoraryDoctorofLawsfromtheUniversityofNSW.

Mr Alan Cameron AM BA LLM (Syd)†

hasbeenamemberoftheCommissionsince8August2001andwasreappointedfortwoyearsfrom8August2007.

MrCameronhasakeeninterestinregulatoryaffairsconcerningthelegalprofession.HewaschairmanofASICfrom1993–2000,CommonwealthOmbudsman1991–92,andmanagingpartnerofthelawfirmBlakeDawsonWaldronduringthe1980s.Duringthattime,hewasalsoajudicialmemberoftheNewSouthWalesEqualOpportunityTribunal,andChairmanoftheBusinessLawSectionoftheLawCouncilofAustralia.HeisnowChairmanoftheNSWGrowthCentresCommission,chairofCameronRalphPtyLimited,aconsultanttoBlakeDawsonWaldron,adirectorofthePublicInterestAdvocacyCentre,FellowoftheSenateoftheUniversityofSydney,andChairoftheSydneyPeaceFoundation.

Appointed Members

�0 Judicial Commission of New South Wales

Judicial Commission(10 members)

Chief ExecutiveErnest Schmatt PSM

Complaints

Education Director

Ruth Windeler

Director Research & Sentencing

Hugh Donnelly

Director Information Management and Corporate Services

Murali Sagi PSM

Judicial Education

Conferences & Communication

Publishing

Computer Training

Criminal Law & Sentencing Research

Judicial Information Research System

(JIRS)

Finance & Administration

Information Management & Technology

Strategic Planning

Lawcodes

Library

Figure 1 Our structure

Dr Judith Cashmore BA Hons DipEd (Adel) MEd (Newcastle) PhD (Macquarie)†

hasbeenamemberoftheCommissionsince1December2004andwasreappointedfortwoyearsfrom8August2007.

DrCashmoreisaresearchacademicwithakeeninterestintheapplicationofresearchtopolicyandpractice,particularlyinrelationtochildren’sinvolvementinlegalproceedings.Herresearchandpublicationsareconcernedwithlegalprocessesrelatedtochildprotection,familylawandchildwitnessesincriminalproceedings.SheiscurrentlyAssociateProfessor,FacultyofLaw,UniversityofSydney,andAdjunctProfessoratSouthernCrossUniversity(DivisionofArts)aswellasanHonoraryResearchAssociate,SocialPolicyResearchCentre,UNSW.ShehasaPhDindevelopmentalpsychologyandaMastersdegreeineducation.Shehaschairedorservedasamemberofanumberofnon-governmentandStateandCommonwealthgovernmentcommitteesconcerningchildsexualassault,childprotection,childdeaths,children’srights,familylawandresearchrelatedtotheseareas.

† . Dr .Dodson, .Mr .Cameron .and .Dr .Cashmore .are .persons .who, .in .the .opinion .of .the .Minister, .have .high .standing .in .the .community . .They .were .appointed .following .consultation .by .the .Minister .with .the .Chief .Justice: .Judicial Officers Act .1986, .s .5(5)(b) .

Appointed Members — continued

Annual Report 2006–2007 ��

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

Chief Executive

Mr Ernest Schmatt PSM Dip Law (BAB)

MrSchmattisresponsibleforalloftheCommission’soperations.HehasinputintoeveryaspectoftheCommission’swork,fromfinancialmanagementtoresearch,complaints,informationsystemsmanagementandeducationactivities.

MrSchmattwasadmittedtopracticeasalawyerin1979.HeheldseniorlegalandmanagementpositionsinthepublicsectorincludingSolicitorforthePublicServiceBoardofNSW(1985–1987)andSolicitorAssistingtheSpecialCommissionofInquiryintothePoliceInvestigationoftheDeathofDonaldMackay(1986).

HewasappointedthefirstDeputyChiefExecutiveoftheJudicialCommissionwhentheCommissionwasestablishedin1987andwasappointedChiefExecutiveoftheCommissionin1989.HeisasolicitoroftheSupremeCourtofNewSouthWalesandtheHighCourtofAustralia.MrSchmattwasawardedthePublicServiceMedalinthe1997Queen’sBirthdayHonoursListforservicetopublicsectormanagementandreform,publicsectorindustrialrelationsandjudicialeducationinNewSouthWales.

HeisanHonoraryAssociateintheGraduateSchoolofGovernment,UniversityofSydney;MemberoftheAdvisoryCommitteetotheCommonwealthJudicialEducationInstitute;MemberoftheStandingCommitteeofCriminalJusticeSystemChiefExecutiveOfficers;MemberoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheAsiaPacificJudicialEducatorsForum;andMemberoftheManagementGroupoftheAsiaPacificJudicialReformForum.

The Commission’s executive management team from left: Mr Hugh Donnelly, Ms Ruth Windeler, Mr Ernie Schmatt and Mr Murali Sagi.

�� Judicial Commission of New South Wales

Education Director

Ms Ruth Windeler BSc (University of Toronto, Canada)

MsWindelerisresponsiblefortheCommission’sjudicialeducationprogram.SheworkscloselywiththeEducationCommitteesofeachcourtandtheStandingAdvisoryCommitteeonJudicialEducationtoplanandorganiseallCommissionconferencesandseminars,andisalsoresponsiblefortheCommission’spublishingprogram.

MsWindelerhasheldthepositionofEducationDirectorsinceMay1996.Hercareerinprofessionaleducationandtrainingbeganin1975inCanadaandincludesappointmentsinanumberofCommonwealthcountries.ShehasbeenDirectoroftheCanadianAdvocates’SocietyInstitute;Co-ordinatorandInstructionalDesignAdministratorfortheInstituteofProfessionalLegalStudiesinNewZealand;DirectorofStandardsandDevelopmentfortheLawSocietyofHongKong;SecretarytotheAdvocacyInstituteofHongKong;andHeadoftheDepartmentofContinuingMedicalEducationandRe-certificationfortheRoyalAustralasianCollegeofSurgeons.

Director, Research and Sentencing

Mr Hugh Donnelly BA (Melb) LLB (UNSW) LLM (Syd)

MrDonnellyisresponsiblefortheCommission’sresearchprogramandforthecontentoftheCommission’sJudicialInformationResearchSystem(JIRS).

MrDonnellywasadmittedasalegalpractitionerin1992.Heworkedinprivatepracticeuntil1993whenhejoinedtheCommissionasaResearchOfficer.HelefttheCommissionin1995andheldthepositionofPrincipalResearchLawyerattheOfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions(NSW)until2001.HewasappointedHighCourtLawyerforthatorganisationfrom2001to2003.Here-joinedtheCommissioninOctober2003astheManageroftheResearchandSentencingDivision.HehasbeenActingDirectoroftheDivisionsinceFebruary2006,andDirectorsinceJuly2007.Hehasauthoredseveralpublicationsonevidenceandsentencinglaw,includingtheSentencing Bench Book.

Director, Information Management and Corporate Services

Mr Murali Sagi PSM BEng MBA (CSU) GradCertPSM (UWS)

MrSagiisresponsiblefortheCommission’sInformationManagementandTechnology,CorporateServicesandtheLawcodesproject.MrSagialsoassiststheChiefExecutiveinpreparingstrategicplanningdocuments,businesscasesandpolicydocuments.

MrSagihasheldthepositionofDirector,InformationSystemssinceJanuary2000.HehasplayedamajorroleinthesuccessfuldevelopmentandimplementationofJIRS.Hehasover20yearsofexperienceinmanagingcomplexinformationtechnologyprojectsinboththegovernmentandprivatesectors.MrSagiwasnamedasthe“ChiefInformationOfficer—Government”oftheyearattheprestigiousNationalInformationTechnology&TelecommunicationsAwards2003.InadditionMrSagi’sexpertisehasbeensoughtbyAusAID,UNDPandAsianDevelopmentBanktoprovidetechnicalassistanceforcapacitybuildingprojectsinIndonesia,CambodiaandIndia.

MrSagiwasawardedthePublicServiceMedalinthisyear’sQueen’sBirthdayHonoursListforoutstandingservicetotheJudicialCommission,particularlyintheprovisionofinformationtechnology.

Annual Report 2006–2007 �3

Commission staff TheCommissionissupportedbyastaffof39,includingspecialistsinlegaleducation,legalresearchandinformationtechnology:seepages36–39 formoredetailedinformationaboutourstaff.Therelativelysmallnumberofstaffmeansthatwesometimescallontheexpertiseofretiredjudicialofficerstocarryoutsomeofourhighlyspecialisedtasks,suchasdevelopingnewbenchbooksandexaminingcomplaints.

Wearealsoassistedinourworkbyalargenumberofjudicialofficers,whogivegenerouslyoftheirtimetoserveonthevariouscommitteesestablishedbytheCommission:seeAppendix4.

COMMISSION GOVERNANCERole of Commission members

TheCommissionmemberssetstrategicdirectionsfortheorganisation,appointtheExecutiveManagement,approvebudgets,workprogramsandpublications,andconductthepreliminaryexaminationofallcomplaints.Theofficialmembersprovidevaluableinformationabouttheeducationneedsofjudicialofficersandbringsignificantexperienceaboutthejudicialroletothedeterminationofcomplaints.Theappointedmembersprovideusefulinformationaboutcommunityexpectationsofjudicialofficersandhaveinputintotheeducationprograms.CommissionmembersareinformedaboutoperationalissuesthroughamonthlyreportbytheChiefExecutivecoveringfunctionalandfinancialmatters,briefingsonissuesastheyarise,anddaytodaycontactwiththeseniorexecutive.

Conflicts of interest

ThemainareainwhichapossibleconflictofinterestcouldariseforaCommissionmemberisintheexaminationofcomplaints.TheCommission’spolicyisthatajudicialmemberwillnotparticipateinanydiscussionsordecisionsinvolvingcomplaintsagainsthimorher.

Commission functions

TheCommissionmaydelegateanyofitsfunctionstoamember,officerorcommitteeoftheCommission.TheCommissionhasdelegatedcertainfunctionstotheChiefExecutive,includingitsfunctionasanemployeranditsFreedomof

Informationobligations.TheCommissionhasestablishedcommitteestoassistinthedischargeofsomeofitsresponsibilities:seeAppendix4.

TheCommissionseeksindependentprofessionaladvicewhennecessarytoenableittocarryoutitsfunctions,forexample,in2006–07,theCommissionsoughtadviceandassistancefromtheNSWCrownSolicitoraboutacommercialcontractandtheinvestigationofacomplaint.

Remuneration

RemunerationofappointedmembersisdeterminedbytheStatutoryandOtherOfficesRemunerationTribunalinaccordancewithsection50oftheJudicial Officers Act.

Role of executive management

TheChiefExecutiveandDirectorsareresponsibleforthedaytodayoperationsoftheCommission.TheyprovideadviceandexpertisetoensurethattheCommission’sprincipalfunctionsarecarriedoutefficientlyandeffectively.

Appointment of Chief Executive

TheChiefExecutiveisappointedundersection6(1)oftheJudicial Officers Act. HeisengagedonacontractandundergoesanannualperformancereviewbyCommissionmembersataCommissionmeeting.

Meetings of the Commission

In2006–07,theCommissionmeteighttimes.Inaddition,therewasaspecialmeetingoftheCommissioninDecember2006.Allmembersattendedeachmeeting,unlessleaveofabsencewasgranted.Thequorumforameetingissevenmembers,oneofwhommustbeanappointedmember.TheChiefExecutiveattendsallmeetingstoreportontheoperationsoftheCommission.

Relationship with the NSW Government

TheCommissionisanindependentstatutorycorporationestablishedbytheJudicial Officers Act. ItisfundedbytheNSWParliamentandisrequiredtoreportannuallytotheNSWParliament.TheCommissionmaygiveadvicetotheAttorneyGeneralonappropriatemattersandtheAttorneyGeneralmayreferacomplaintaboutajudicialofficertotheCommission.


Judicial Education

OVERVIEWTheCommission’sjudicialeducationprogrampromoteshighstandardsofjudicialperformance.Itassistsinthedevelopmentofappropriatejudicialskillsandvalues,resultinginabetterinformedandmoreprofessionaljudiciary.Theeducationactivitiesaredesignedtokeepjudicialofficersup-to-datewithcurrentlegaldevelopmentsandemergingtrends.Educationtopicsarevariedandrangefromcriminallaw,sentencingandjudicialskillstosocialawarenessissuessuchasethnicity,genderandtheneedsofparticularculturalgroups.

Desired result Key services provided Achievements 2006–07 Priority for 2007–08

Better informed and professional judiciary

• Annual conference for each court

• Seminars for judicial officers

• Professional reference material

• Computer training and help desk

• Increased number of education days by 14%

• Achieved a 90% satisfaction rating for our conference and seminar program

• Expanded our education program on sexual assault and held 15 specific sessions on sexual assault matters

• Developed a number of new publications including the Civil Trials Bench Book, Sexual Assault Handbook and statutory interpretation monograph

• Increase Aboriginal cultural awareness activities

• Evaluate the educational needs of judicial officers and recommend ways to meet those needs

• Develop additional distance learning tools

• Publish the Civil Trials Bench Book

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARSTheCommissionrunsanongoingconferenceandseminarprogramtailoredtotheneedsofthefivecourtsandtoindividualjudicialofficers.Thesessionsrangefrominductionandorientationcoursesfornewjudicialofficerstospecialistsessionsontopicsrelatingtochangesinlegislation,practiceandprocedure,judicialskillsandsocialcontextissues.TheCommission’sprofessionaleducatorguidesthecurriculumdevelopmentprocessandreceivesinputfromavarietyofsourcesaboutthecontentandformatoftheprograms,whichensuresthateachsessionisrelevantandcurrent:seeFigure2foranoverviewofthedesignprocess.

“The conference was terrific as to collegiality —

vital for me. It refreshed my focus on the broader

aspects of being a judge, and I will be pursuing

higher standards of work coming from my court

room and from practitioners.” participant, District

Court Annual Conference, April 2007

Breakout sessions at the 2007 District Court Annual Conference provided a valuable opportunity for court members to compare different judicial attitudes and approaches on a range of issues relating to criminal law, civil law and judicial conduct.


“It was useful to expand understanding of sexual assault matters. I will ensure pre-trial matters are more carefully exercised in these cases.” participant, District Court Annual Conference,

April 2007

Major achievements• Focus on sexual assault:Conducted15specific

sessionsonsexualassaultmatterstoensurethatjudicialofficersareinformedaboutlegislativedevelopmentsandrecentcaselawintheareaofsexualassault,aswellasthejudicialroleinsexualassaultcases.Inparticular,the2007DistrictCourtAnnualConferencewasextendedbyonedaytoensurethatsexualassaultmattersweregivenprominence.Sessionswereheldonsuchtopicsas:

• Procedureinprescribedsexualassaultcases

• Perspectivesonthetreatmentofsexualassaultcomplainants

• Sentencingoptionsinprescribedsexualassaultcases

• Judgment writing:HeldfourverysuccessfuljudgmentwritingworkshopsfortheLocalCourt,LandandEnvironmentCourt,andDistrictCourt.Judgmentwritingisacoreskillforjudicialofficersandtheseverypractical,twodayworkshopsledbyProfessorJamesRaymondencouragenewwaysofapproachingthetaskofwritingjudgments.Throughanalysinganddiscussingtheirownwriting,participantsdeveloptheirjudgmentwritingskillsandtheabilitytowriteclear,concise,well-structuredjudgments.

Judicial officers

Community

Other jurisdictions

Judicial Commission Members

Complaints

Standing Advisory Committee on Judicial Education

Court Education Committees (5)

Education Director

Education Programs

Inputfrom

Figure 2 Judicial education design process

“Judgment writing is a very important part of our work — the way you structure a judgment affects the message conveyed and facilitates comprehension. This workshop has given me a better framework to use (better than I have been using) and I expect that, over time, it will make this difficult task easier (both for the giver and the receiver!).” participant, Judgment Writing Workshop for Local

Court, April 2007


• Annual conferences:ConductedanannualconferenceforeachofthefivecourtsinNewSouthWales.Atotalof269judicialofficers(onaverage92%)attendedtheircourt’sannualconferencein2006–07.Thisrateofattendancewouldhavebeenhighersaveforunexpectedandunavoidablerequirementstofinalisetrialsandattendtoothercourtcommitments.Sessionscoveredabroadrangeofareaswithanemphasisoninteractivelearning:seeAppendix5foralistofconferencetopics.

“It’s always of practical value to have many

precepts, percepts, concepts and perspectives

either endorsed and enhanced or challenged.

This certainly leads to changes in the way

we do work. I hope that I can really be more

thoughtful in the way I discharge my judicial

function.” participant, Local Court Annual

Conference, 2006

• Seminar program:Presented10occasionalseminarstailoredtotheneedsofjudicialofficersandindividualcourts.Theseseminarshaveprovenverypopularbecauseoftheirfocusednatureandtheopportunitytheyprovideforjudicialofficerstoexchangeideasontopicalissuessuchasthenewdrugtreatmentcorrectionalcentre,posttraumaticstressdisorder,andjuryinstructions:seeAppendix6forafulllistofseminarsconductedin2006–07.

• Magistrates’ orientation program: Conductedafive-dayresidentialprogramwhichconsolidatesfundamentaljudicialskillsanddispositionsuchascourtcraft,decision-making,sentencing,judicialethics,judicialadministrationandconduct.TenmagistratesfromNSWattendedthe2007orientationprogram.SixmagistratesfromQueensland,theNorthernTerritory,Tasmania,PapuaNewGuineaandtheSolomonIslandsalsoattendedbyinvitation.Participantsgreatlybenefitfromtheopportunitythisprogramgivesthemtoshareexperiencesandanalyseandcomparedifferentjudicialattitudesandapproaches.

“Extremely valuable. Numerous changes will

result and improve my work — in competence

and confidence. The course has enhanced my

motivation even more.” participant, Magistrates’

Orientation Program, February 2007

• Attendance:Increasedby14%thenumberofface-to-faceeducationdaysattendedbyjudicialofficers.Althoughattendanceatconferencesandseminarsisvoluntary,in2006–07judicialofficersattendedapproximately1,486daysofjudicialeducationacross28differenteducationalprograms:seeTable1.

“Excellent practical guide. The interchange between judges was most helpful.” participant, District Court Seminar, June 2007

The Commission’s education program offers a diverse range of activities and provides judicial officers with an opportunity to exchange information and ideas, interact with colleagues, and learn in a stimulating environment. From left, participants at the Land and Environment Court Annual Conference, judges at the District Court Annual Conference, and magistrates attending the Judgment Writing Workshop for the Local Court.


1 Note: A day of education is based on 5–6 instructional hours attended by a judicial officer. It is calculated by multiplying the number of participants by the duration of the conference: eg, 18 participants x 2 days = 36 education days.

2 The number of pre-bench training sessions is determined by the number of appointments to the Local Court.

3 An additional National Judicial Orientation Program was held in May 2007 due to increasing numbers of newly appointed judges.

4 Although no programs were held solely on an Indigenous topic, a number of conferences and other seminars dealt with this area within its sessions.

2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 target 2006–07

actual 2006–07

target 2007–08

Daysofeducation� �,339 �,�67 �,7�8 �,300 �,300 1,486 �,300

Numberofdifferentprograms �6 �� 35 35 3� 28 30

Annualconferences 6 5 5 4 5 5 5

Workshops—country&metropolitanmagistrates

4 6 4 3 3 4 4

Workshops—judgmentwriting – – 3 � 3 4 �

Pre-benchtrainingsessions� 8 � 5 9 4 7 4

Week-longorientationprograms � � � 3 � 33 �

Cross-jurisdictionalseminars 5 5 � 6 4 0 4

Children’sCourtconferences � 3 3 � � 0 0

Indigenousprograms � � 3 0 � 04 �

Seminarsfornewmagistrates 0 0 � 0 � 0 �

SupremeCourtoccasionalseminars – – – 3 3 3 �

IndustrialRelationsCommissionoccasionalseminars

– – – � � 0 �

DistrictCourtoccasionalseminars – � 7 5 5 7 5

DrugCourtPractitioners’Conference – – � � � 0 �

MultidisciplinaryChildSexualAssaultForum – – – � � 0 0

Gaolvisit – – – � � 1 �

Table 1 Conference and seminar activity 2002–07

The 2007 District Court Annual Conference had a focus on sexual assault issues such as directions and procedures specific to dealing with sexual assault cases. The program also included sessions on recent developments in the criminal and civil law, the appellate process, and judicial conduct.


Benchmarking of performanceWeevaluateourperformanceinjudicialeducationagainstbothinternaltargets(see“Performanceindicatorsandprogramevaluation”below)andagainstthenationalstandardforprofessionaldevelopmentforAustralianjudicialofficers,developedbytheNationalJudicialCollegeofAustraliaandendorsedbytheCouncilofChiefJustices,theJudicialCommissionandtheJudicialCollegeofVictoria.Thestandardrecommendsfivedaysofjudicialeducationperjudicialofficerannually(includingself-directedprofessionaldevelopment).In2006–07,judicialofficersinNSWundertookanaverageoffivetrainingdayswiththeCommission.

Performance indicators and program evaluationWeuseacombinationofqualitativeandquantitativemethodstoevaluateourjudicialeducationprogram.TheEducationDirectorattendsallseminarsandconferences,andprovidesareporttotherelevantEducationCommitteeandtheCommissionabouttheusefulnessandrelevanceoftheprogram,andanyrecommendationsforimprovementstofutureprogramsbasedoninputfromparticipantsandpresenters.

InternallytheCommissionhasaquantitativeperformanceindicatorofconducting1,300daysofeducationperannum:in2006–07,1,486daysofeducationwereactuallytakenupbyjudicialofficers.Thatiscalculatedbymultiplyingthenumberofjudicialofficersinattendanceatjudicialeducationprogramsbythedurationoftheeducationalsession.

Qualitativeperformanceindicatorsmeasurethequalityofprogramsandwhethertheymeettheneedsofourjudicialofficers.TheCommissionencouragesallparticipantstocompleteanevaluationformattheendofeachprogramtomeasureiftheprogramobjectiveshavebeenmetandtomeasuretheusefulness,contentanddeliveryoftheprogram.Satisfactionratesprovideameasureofsuccessforourjudicialeducationprograms.In2006–07theoverallsatisfactionratingwas90%,exceedingourperformancetargetof85%.AscanbeseenfromFigure3,thesatisfactionratingremainsgenerallyconsistentovertime.

“Enables an exchange of views and consideration

of new issues not previously thought of or thought

relevant. Enables re-examination of how one

carries out the role and whether there is a need

to re-think the methodology, approaches etc.”

participant, Industrial Relations Commission

Annual Conference 2006

Figure 3 Participant evaluation of education programs 2002–07

0

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2006–072005–062004–052003–042002–03

Overall satisfaction rating

Perc

ent

89% 86% 89% 87% 90%

The 2007 Land and Environment Court Annual Conference provided court members with information on a range of issues relevant to the court, including alternative dispute resolution, water recycling, environmental decision-making, and expert evidence.


Voluntary versus mandatory continuing judicial educationAttendanceatallCommissioneducationalsessionsthoughvoluntaryisveryhigh.Alljudicialofficersattendsomeformofcontinuingprofessionaldevelopmenteachyearand100%ofnewlyappointedmagistratesattendanorientationprogram.

Sessionsareheldbothinandoutofcourttime,attimesandvenuesmostconvenienttojudicialofficers,includingeveningsandweekends.Thehighparticipationrateforwhatisavoluntaryprogramisanindicationthatjudicialofficersaremotivatedtokeepup-to-datewithdevelopments,andfindtheCommission’sconferenceandseminarprogramvaluableandeffective.Inaddition,favourableevaluationsfromparticipantssuggestthatthosewhoattendfindtheeducationsessionsbeneficialtotheirperformanceasjudicialofficers.

Suggestionsofmandatorycontinuingjudicialeducationarecontrarytotheconceptofjudicialindependence.Itshouldbenotedthatinthosejurisdictionswherethereismandatorycontinuinglegaleducation(MCLE)thereisnostudywhichcandirectlylinkMCLEtotheincreasedprofessionalcompetenceoflawyers.Thekeyfactorinanysuccessfuleducationalprogramismotivation.Mandatingeducationismorelikelytodecreasemotivationthantoincreaseit.Whenattendanceratesatjudicialeducationprogramsarealreadyextraordinarilyhigh,itcouldcreateresentmentandasubsequentdecreaseinmotivationifamandatorycomponentwereimposed.Wewillcontinuetoencouragejudicialofficerstoattendourprogramsbyprovidingqualityjudicialeducationprogramsthatmeettheirneeds.

The year aheadIn2007–08,theCommission’sconferenceandseminarprogramwillfocuson:

• developinganelectronicconferencepaperdatabaseincludingtrainingstaffinitsuse

• developingadditionaldistancelearningresources

• developingadditionalinteractiveeducationsessionstailoredtothedailyworkofjudicialofficers

• conductingskillsworkshopswithafocusonjudgmentwritinganddecision-making

• evaluatingtheneedsofjudicialofficersandthemostappropriatemethodsbywhichtheseneedscanbemet

• developingaprogramofpeersupportandconstructivefeedbacktoassistjudicialofficersinmeetingthedemandsofasociallyandculturallydiversesociety

• providingeducationalsessionsonsocialcontextissueswithafocusonAboriginalissues

• assistingwiththedevelopmentoftrainingprogramsforjudicialofficersintheAsiaPacificRegion.

Magistrates attending the 2007 Magistrates’ Orientation Program greatly benefited from the practical nature of the court craft exercise which provided participants with constructive feedback on their courtroom behaviour, in particular their communication skills.

Figure 3 Participant evaluation of education programs 2002–07


PUBLICATIONSTheCommission’spublicationsprogramprovidesjudicialofficerswitharangeofprofessionalreferencematerialaboutcriminallaw,civillaw,sentencing,judicialadministration,practiceandprocedure,andsocialcontextissues:seealsopage26.

Major achievements• Civil Trials Bench Book:Completed

developmentofanewbenchbooktoassistjudicialofficersconductingciviltrials.Itwillprovidecurrentstatementsofrelevantlegalprinciples;referencestolegislation,sampleordersanddirectionsforjudicialofficerstousewhereappropriate;andchecklistsaboutvariousissuesthatariseinciviltrials.ThemanuscriptwascompletedthisyearandthefirststageofthebenchbookwillpublishinJuly2007inlooseleafformatandonJIRS.Furtherchapterswillpublishastheyarecompletedandthebenchbookwillcontinuetobeupdatedtoreflectchangestolegislationandcaselaw.

• Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book:Ensuredthatthesuggestedjurydirectionsreflectedchangestothelawbypublishingfourupdatesandthreespecialbulletins,detailinginparticular,importantchangesrelatingtodirectionstojuriesinsexualassaultcasesandmajorityverdicts.

• Equality before the Law Bench Book:Receivedthe2006AustralasianInstituteofJudicialAdministration’sAwardforExcellence

inJudicialAdministration,abiennialawardmadeinrecognitionofsignificantcontributiontothefurtheranceofjudicialadministrationinAustralia.TheawardrecognisedtheeffortstheJudicialCommissionhasmadethroughitscontinuingjudicialeducationprogramtoaddresstheneedforjudicialofficerstodealincourtwiththeparticularrequirementsofspecificsectionsofthecommunity.Twoupdateswerepublishedin2007.

• Sexual Assault Handbook:DevelopedahandbookforDistrictCourtjudgestoprovideaquickreferenceresourcetorelevantproceduralprovisionsandcases.Theelectronicversionwillcontainlinkstorelevantcaselaw,articlesandsuggestedjurydirections.ThiswillpublishonlineonJIRSandinhardcopyinlate2007.

• Statutory interpretation: Principles and pragmatism for a new age:Commissionedacollectionofessaysthatanalysetheprinciplesandpracticeofstatutoryinterpretationfromavarietyofperspectivestoprovideadetailedexplorationofthetopic.ThismonographwillpublishinJuly2007.

• Keeping judicial offi cers informed:Continuedtorespondinatimelywaytodevelopmentsinthelawwithinformativepublicationsinprintandonline.Forexample,wekeptjudicialofficersup-to-datewithdevelopmentsinthelawbymaintainingthecurrencyoftheLocal Courts Bench Book,andpublishingtheJudicial Offi cers Bulletin,Recent LawflyerandThe Judicial Review:seeAppendix7foralistofarticlespublished.

The year aheadIn2007–08,thepublishingfocuswillbeonimprovingproductivitybystreamliningtheproceduresforthemonthlymailoutofinformationtojudicialofficers,andbyfinalisingaStyleGuideandPublishingProtocolDocumentwhichwillapplytoallCommissionpublications.Thepublicationsprogramwillcontinuetomeettheinformationneedsofjudicialofficerswithtwoimportantnewpublications:theCivil Trials Bench Bookandthestatutoryinterpretationmonograph.

Annual Report 2006–2007 ��

COMPUTER TRAININGTheCommissionprovidestechnologysupportforthejudiciary,throughcomputertrainingsessionsandtheprovisionofahelpdeskservice.

Major achievements• Help desk: Respondedto582enquiriesfromjudicialofficersneedingassistancewithusing

JIRS,email,wordprocessing,softwareprograms,portals,transcriptanalysisandtheinternetforresearch.Thecomputerhelpdeskserviceforjudicialofficersisprovidedfrom7:30amto7:30pmMondaytoFridayoverthephoneandviaemail.

• Computer training:Presented120trainingsessions,concentratingontheeffectiveuseofcomputersinthecourtsetting,andvisited47regionally-basedcourtstoprovidetrainingsupporttojudicialofficersinregionalNSW.

• Responded to needs of judicial officers:Adaptedthenatureofthesupportweprovidetojudicialofficerstotargetadvancedresearchandproblemsolvingtechniquesandbettermeetthechangingneedsofjudicialofficersastheybecomemoreexperiencedcomputerusers.

• JusticeLink:ProvidedassistancetotheSupremeandDistrictCourtsbyconductingintroductorygrouptrainingsessionsforjudgesandtheirassociatesintheuseoftheplannedJusticeLinksystem.

The year aheadComputertrainingactivitiesin2007–08willfocusonrespondingtothechangingneedsofjudicialofficers,inparticular,theneedforin-courttrainingandtheprovisionoftraininginregionalareasforjudicialofficerswhodonothavereadyaccesstosupport.Inaddition,trainingwillensurethatjudicialofficersaremadeawareofthenewfeaturesonJIRS,suchasthe Sentencing andCivil Trials Bench Books,andhowtogetthemaximumbenefitfromthem.

Figure 4 Computer support 2002–07

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

2006–072005–062004–052003–042002–03

Computer training sessions Total help desk enquiries

243

654

136

696

214

587

210

566

120†

582

† As more computer literate judicial officers are being appointed, their computer training needs are changing, which has led to a reduction in the number of training sessions required.

�� Judicial Commission of New South Wales

Research and Sentencing


Consistency in sentencing

• Online statistical and legal information on JIRS

• Original research and analysis of sentencing trends

• Maintaining Lawcodes database

• Published the Sentencing Bench Book

• Published three research monographs

• Increased usage of JIRS by 23%

• Posted 136 announcements about legal developments on JIRS

• Maintain currency and accuracy of Sentencing Bench Book and Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book

• Conduct research into judicial directions to juries

• Monitor the impact of the standard non-parole period offence legislation

• Launch a sentencing statistics database for the Land and Environment Court

OVERVIEWTheCommission’sresearchprogramassistscourtstoachieveconsistencyofapproachinimposingsentences.Researchactivitiesaredesignedtoinformjudicialofficersaboutmajorchangestosentencinglawandpractice.Researchtopicsaretailoredtothedifferingneedsofjudicialofficersacrossallcourts.TheCommissionmonitorssentencesanddisseminatesinformationtojudicialofficersthroughtheonlineJudicialInformationResearchSystem(JIRS),sentencingpublicationsandbenchbooks.

JUDICIAL INFORMATION RESEARCH SYSTEM (JIRS)JIRSisanonlinedecisionsupportsystemforjudicialofficers.Itcontainsinformationonallaspectsofsentencinglawincludingcaselaw,legislationandsentencingstatistics:seeFigure5.Itisdesignedtoprovidejudicialofficerswithtimelyinformationtoassistindecision-making.Updatedregularlyanduseddailybymanyjudicialofficersandlegalpractitioners,JIRSisthemosteffectiveanddirectmethodofcommunicatinginformationaboutthelatestdevelopmentsinthelaw.Aconsiderableproportionofresearcheffortisdevotedtomaintainingandupdatingthelegalreferencematerial.ThesystemoperatesasanintranetandisavailableviatheAttorneyGeneral’sDepartment’swideareanetwork.Accessisalsoavailableontheinternetforjudicialofficersandsubscribers.

Sam Indyk, one of the Commission’s research officers, undertakes a range of research activities aimed at ensuring that judicial officers are kept abreast of changes to sentencing law and practice.


Component Description Commission activity

Announcements&RecentLaw

Earlynoticeofimportantlegaldevelopments

• identifysignificantdecisions&legislativechanges• extractcoreofcaselaw&legislation&postonline• print&distributemonthlyRecent Lawflyer

JIRS

Sentencingstatistics Statisticsontherange&frequencyofpenaltiesimposedinsimilarcases

• receivedatafromBureauofCrimeStatistics&Research,DepartmentofJuvenileJustice&thecourts

• auditdata• process&loaddataonJIRSwithin�monthsofreceipt

Caselaw Fulltextofjudgments&casesummariesforselectedcases

• receivecasesfromHighCourt,CourtofCriminalAppeal,CourtofAppeal,SupremeCourt,Land&EnvironmentCourt&theIndustrialRelationsCommission

• advancenotessuppliedbyDPP• loadfulltextjudgmentswithin�workingdayofreceipt• prepareRecentLawitemswithin�4daysofreceiptfor

importantdecisions• prepareimportantCCAcasesummarieswithin�weeks

ofreceipt• linkcases&summariestosentencingprinciples&

practicecomponent

Sentencingprinciples&practice(Sentencing Bench Book)

Concisecommentaryonsentencingprinciples

• drawsentencingprinciplesfromnewcasesandpostasRecentLawitems

• linkprinciplesinbenchbooktocaselaw&legislation

BenchBooks Practiceandproceduremanualsforthevariouscourtscontainingcurrentstatementsofrelevantlegalprinciples,sampleorders,andsuggestedjurydirectionsforjudgestousewhereappropriate

• identifysignificantdecisions&legislativechangesimpactingonthecontentofthebenchbook

• BenchBookCommitteesconsidercontentanddraftamendmentsandspecialbulletins

• publishupdatesonJIRS&inhardcopy

Legislation AllNSW&CommonwealthActs&Regulations

• receivelegislationfromNSWParliamentaryCounsel’sOffice&CommonwealthAttorneyGeneral’sDepartment

• process&loadlegislativechangeswithin�4hoursofreceipt

• alertuserstocommencementdateofcriminallegislationviaRecentLawitems

• linklegislationtorelevantcaselaw&sentencingstatistics

• verifycurrencyoflegislationweekly

Publications Monographs,Sentencing Trends & Issues, Judicial Offi cers’ Bulletin

• identifyrelevanttopicorresearcharea• commissionauthor• edit&typesetmanuscript• publishinhardcopy&online

ServicesDirectory Essentialinformationontreatmentoptions&rehabilitationfacilities

• identifyrelevantserviceproviders• maintaincurrencyofinformation

Figure 5 JIRS — A complete judicial decision-support system

JIRS


Major achievements• Currency of information:Posted136itemsonthe

“Announcements”and“RecentLaw”componentsofJIRScoveringsentencinglaw,importantsentencingjudgments,jurydirections,evidencelaw,criminaldecisionsfromtheHighCourtandsignificantcriminalstatutespassedbytheNSWParliament.TheseitemsprovideJIRSuserswithearlynotificationofimportantlegaldevelopments.

• Case law:EnsuredthatjudicialofficershadeasyaccesstothemostrecentcaselawbyloadingnewjudgmentsontoJIRSwithin24hoursofreceipt.

• Case summaries:Re-assessedtheCommission’sapproachtopreparingcasesummariestobetterreflecttheavailableresourceswithintheresearchprogramandtheneedsofjudicialofficers.Followingthereview,itwasdecidedtopostsummariesofimportantsentencingjudgmentsonJIRSasRecentLawitemsinordertoincreasetheirusefulnesstojudicialofficers:in2006–07,43oftheseitemswerepostedwithinthetargettimeframeof14daysfromreceiptofthejudgment.TheinformationisalsopublishedintheRecent LawflyerandtheJudicial Officers’ Bulletin.Summariesofotherselectedjudgmentsarestillproducedinalengthierandmoredetailedformatassoonaspracticableafterreceipt,and190ofthesesummarieswerecompletedandloadedontoJIRSin2006–07.Ratherthansummarisingallsentencingdecisions,itwasalsodecidedinDecember2006toonlysummariseallsuccessfulseverityappeals,Crownappeals,standardnon-paroleperiodsentenceappealsandcasesinvolvingaquestionofsentencinglaw.Aguideonhowtopreparecasesummarieswasproducedforstafftohelpensureaconsistentapproach.

• Sentencing statistics:PromotedconsistencyofapproachtosentencingbyprovidingaccurateandtimelysentencingstatisticsonJIRS.Thesentencingstatisticscomponentprovidesinformationonthestatisticalrangeofsentencespreviouslyimposedforparticularoffences.Thesestatisticsareusedandrelieduponbythecourtsandpractitionersonadailybasis.WemetourtargetsforloadingLocalCourtsandChildren’sCourtdatawithinonemonthofreceipt.WemetourtargetofloadinghighercourtsdataontoJIRSwithintwomonthsfromthedateofreceiptintwoofthefourquartersandweremarginallylatefortheothertwoquartersduetotheunavailabilityofresources.

• Land and Environment Court statistics: CommenceddevelopmentofanewsentencingstatisticscomponentfortheLandand

EnvironmentCourtinordertoprovidethecourtwithup-to-dateinformationaboutsentencingpatternsforenvironmentaloffences.

• Usage of JIRS:Increasedby23%,fromanaverageof37,336pagehitspermonthin2005–06toanaverageof45,898hitspermonthin2006–07:seeFigures6and7.ThisreflectstheeffortsputintoredesigningthelookandstructureofJIRStoensureitbettermeetsuserneeds.UsageofJIRSissplitbetweenjudicialofficers(27%),theOfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions(40%),subscribinglegalpractitioners(15%),professionalassociations(3%)andothers(16%),includingStateandfederalgovernmentagencies,AboriginalLegalServicesanduniversityresearchcentres.Themaingrowthinusagein2006–07wasfrommagistrates(up46%),legalpractitioners(up45%)andtheIndustrialRelationsCommission(up35%):seeFigure8forinformationonthemostusedcomponents.

• Enhancements:MadesignificantenhancementstoJIRS,including:

• developinganewcontentmanagementsystemtocreateandadministertheRecentLawitemswhichhasresultedingreaterproductivityforCommissionstaffandahigherqualityofwork

• redesigningtheCommonwealthLegislationcomponenttoaccepttheinformationinthenewformatprovidedbytheCommonwealthAttorney-General’sDepartmentandmaketheuserinterfaceforalllegislationcomponentsmoreuserfriendly

• developingautomaticjudgmentconversionscriptsandnewXML-basedcasesummarytemplatesresultinginincreasedproductivityforresearchstaffwhenmaintainingcurrencyofdata

• redevelopingthesentencingstatisticsviewertoovercometheneedforaseparateapplicationtobeinstalledontheuser’scomputerandincreasefunctionality.

• JIRS case study:InDecember2006,GartnerResearch,ahighlyregardedIT-relatedinternationalmarketresearchcompany,approchedtheCommissiontoprepareaWhitePaperontheCommission’suseoftechnology,focusingontheCommission’sdevelopmentofJIRSasanonlinejudicialsupportsystem.ThepaperwasdistributedtoitsinternationalclientssothattheycanbenefitfromtheCommission’sexperienceandapproach.


Figure 6 Number of JIRS pages accessed by users each year, 2002–07

Figure 7 Number of JIRS pages accessed by users each month, July 2006–June 2007

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

Jun07

May07

Apr07

Mar07

Feb07

Jan07

Dec06

Nov06

Oct06

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Aug06

Jul06

Usag

e: p

age

hits

2005–06 An average of 37,336 pages accessed per month

2006–07 An average of 45,898 pages accessed per month

0

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200,000

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600,000

2006–072005–062004–052003–042002–03

Page

s ac

cess

ed415,702 435,699

389,612448,032

550,774

Figure 8 Most used components of JIRS

Other

Legislation

Bench books

Sentencing statistics

NSWCCA judgments & summaries

Recent Law

Advance notes

20%

14%

14%

13%

3%

33%†

3%

† Other includes other announcements, publications, judgments and summaries from courts other than the NSWCCA, evidence, conferences, home page and sentencing calculator usage.

�006–07average

�005–06average


The year aheadIn2007–08,thefocusofJIRSactivitieswillbeon:

• providingcurrentsentencinginformationtothecourts

• ensuringthatJIRScontinuestobeseenasanimportantsourceofinformationaboutrecentlegaldevelopmentsbyconcentratingontheAnnouncementsandRecentLawcomponents

• launchingthesentencingstatisticsdatabaseforcriminalmattersdealtwithintheLandandEnvironmentCourt

• conductinganonlinesurveyofJIRSuserstogaugetheirlevelofsatisfactionwithJIRSandreceiveanysuggestedimprovements.

ORIGINAL RESEARCHTheCommissionconductsoriginalresearchintosentencinglawandpractice,inordertoprovidejudicialofficerswithinformationaboutchangesinsentencinglawandtrendsinsentencingpatternsthatwillhelppromoteconsistencyinsentencing.

Major achievements• Sentencing Bench Book:Publishedin

October2006,thisnewbenchbookplaysakeyroleinpromotingconsistencyinsentencingbyprovidingjudicialofficerswithinstantaccesstotherelevantlawandlegalprinciplesthatgovernsentencinginNSW.Thebenchbook,structuredaroundtheCrimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act1999,providesanannotationofkeysentencingstatutesandextractssentencingprinciplesthatapplytovariousoffences.Itisconstantlyupdatedtoreflectchangestosentencinglawandtoensurethatjudicialofficersareprovidedwithup-to-dateinformation:twoupdateswerepublishedin2007.Thebenchbookisavailableinlooseleafformat,onJIRSandfreelyavailableontheCommission’swebsite.

• Research Monographs:Publishedthreemajorresearchstudies:

• Partial defences to murder in NSW 1990–2004 (Research Monograph 28),analysesallcasesdecidedbetween1990–2004involvinganaccusedchargedwithmurderwhoreliedonthepartialdefencesofprovocation,substantialimpairment/diminishedresponsibility,and/orexcessiveselfdefence.

• Full-time imprisonment in New South Wales and other jurisdictions: A national and international comparison (Research Monograph 29),investigateshowtheuseoffull-timeimprisonmentbyjudgesinNewSouthWalescompareswithotherAustralianandinternationaljurisdictionsintermsofseverityorleniency.

• Sentencing robbery offenders since the Henry guideline judgment (Research Monograph 30),providesacomprehensivehistoricalanalysisoftheoffenceofrobbery,anoverviewofsentencingpatternsforallrobberyoffencesbetween1999and2005,ananalysisanddiscussionofremarksonsentenceofasampleofcases,andadiscussionofCourtofCriminalAppealrobberysentenceappeals.

• Standard non-parole period offences:Monitoredtheeffectofthestandardnon-paroleperiodlegislationonsentencingpatternsand,althoughitisstilltooearlytodrawdefinitiveconclusionsabouttheeffectoftheprovisions,weprovidedinformationtojudicialofficersaboutthisimportantchangetosentencingpracticeby:

• includingadetailedlegalcommentaryofthestandardnon-paroleperiodprovisionsintheSentencing Bench Book

• creatingascheduleofstandardnon-paroleperiodsentencingappealsandfirstinstancemurdercasesasamenuitemonJIRStoenablejudicialofficerstoquicklyaccessappealcasesonthesubject

• conductingresearchintowhethertheguiltyplearateishigherforaccusedpersonswho(allegedly)commitanoffencesubjecttothestandardnon-paroleperiodlegislationthanforthosenotsubjecttoit.TheresultsofthisresearchwerepublishedintheJudicial Officers’ BulletininMay2007.Thearticlehighlightedthat,overall,theguiltyplearatehassignificantlyincreasedfrom78.7%to87.8%.

“I wish to express my gratitude for the publication of this most invaluable legal research tool on the internet. If my advocacy skills and general submissions to the Court are ever to improve, it will be through the diligent study and application of this resource.” email from legal practitioner about

the Sentencing Bench Book


“Of assistance to judges in their application of section 21A is a Sentencing Bench Book, which … provides extensive guidance and commentary on all aspects of sentencing …The Commission has compiled general rules governing the application of s 21A generally, and has also highlighted the main concerns …” NSW Sentencing Council, Report on Sentencing Trends and

Practices 2005–2006, p 21

• Sexual assault:Followinglegislativechangestosexualassaultproceedings,theCommissionpublishedaninstructivearticleintheJudicial Officers’ Bulletinon“Delayandthecredibilityofcomplainantsinsexualassaultproceedings”.Thisarticleraisedfordiscussionsomeissuesrelatingtothe2006reformstojudicialdirectionsinsexualassaultcases.

• Research enquiries:Respondedto58researchenquiriesfromjudicialofficers,practitioners,libraries,subscribersandgovernmentagenciesregardingsentencinginformation.

• Research assistance:DraftedthreespecialbulletinsandprovidedsubstantialresearchsupporttotheCriminalTrialCourtsBenchBookCommittee,particularlyfollowingthepassingoftheCriminal Procedure Amendment (Sexual and Other Offences) Act2006whichchangedjurydirectionsinsexualassaultcases.

• NSW Sentencing Council:ProvidedextensivestatisticalassistanceandresearchexpertisefortheSentencingCouncil,includingtheirstudyonJudicial Perceptions of Fines as a Sentencing Option: A survey of NSW Magistrates.Theresultsofthestudywillbepublishedasaco-authoredmonograph.Wecontinuetoprovidequarterlyupdatesofsentencingstatisticsforstandardnon-paroleperiodoffencesforusebytheSentencingCouncilinpreparingitsreportstotheAttorneyGeneral.

The year aheadIn2007–08,researchactivitieswillfocuson:

• ensuringthattheSentencing Bench BookandtheCriminal Trial Courts Bench Bookreflectrecentdevelopmentsinsentencingandcriminallaw

• conductingresearchintotopicalareasofsentencingandcriminallaw

• monitoringtheimpactonsentencingpracticeofthestandardnon-paroleperiodoffencelegislation

• completingastudyonthementalhealthdiversionaryschemeintheLocalCourt

• updatingastudyontheuseofimprisonmentinNewSouthWales

• expandingastudywhichanalysessuccessfulconvictionappealsbetween2001and2007

• continuingtoprovideassistancetotheSentencingCouncil.

LAWCODES TheLawcodesdatabaseprovidesstandardcodestodescribeoffencesinNSW.UsedbyalljusticesystemagenciesinNSW,thecodesfacilitatetheexchangeofinformationbetweenagenciesandimprovetheintegrityofinformationaboutoffences.PublicaccesstotheLawcodesdatabaseisprovidedontheCommission’swebsite.In2006–07:

• allenquiriesfromLawcodesuserswereansweredwithin24hours

• allnewandamendedoffenceswerecodedanddistributedwithinfourdaysoftheircommencement

• weworkedwiththeStateDebtRecoveryOfficetoimprovethemappingofitscodingsystemtoLawcodes.


Complaints Against Judicial Officers

OVERVIEWTheCommission’scomplaint-handlingactivitiesarefocusedonensuringcomplaintsabouttheabilityandbehaviourofjudicialofficersareinvestigatedinatimelyandeffectivemannerinordertoenhancepublicconfidenceinthejudiciaryandtopromotegoodpracticesandhighstandardsofjudicialperformance.InformationfromcomplaintsisusedtohelpdesigntheCommission’seducationprograms.

THE COMPLAINTS FUNCTIONTheJudicial Officers Act1986providesameansforpeopletocomplainabouttheconductofajudicialofficerandtohavethosecomplaintsexaminedbyanindependentbody.TheJudicial Officers Actsetsoutacomprehensivesystemforexaminingcomplaintsthatconcerntheabilityorbehaviourofjudicialofficers:seeFigure9andAppendix1.AnimportantroleoftheCommissionisnotonlytoreceiveandexaminecomplaintsbuttodeterminewhichcomplaintsrequirefurtheraction.

Instrikingabalancebetweenjudicialindependenceandaccountability,thecomplaintsprocessprovidesalevelofjudicialaccountabilityinadditiontotraditionalforms,suchasproceedingsbeingconductedinpublic,therequirementtogivereasonsforjudicialdecisionsanddecisionsbeingsubjecttoappellatereview.

Major achievements• New guidelines:Publishednewguidelineson

ourwebsitetohelpcomplainantsunderstandchangestothecomplaintsprocessthatcommencedon1July2006followingamendmentstotheJudicial Officers Act.


Judicial accountability and enhanced public confidence in the judiciary

• Advice to the public about the complaint function

• Timely and efficient examination of complaints

• 100% of complaints finalised within 8 months

• 23% decrease in number of complaints received

• Only 10% of complaints required further action

• Further enhance the procedure for examining complaints

• Complaints form:Amendedthecomplaintsformtoreflectchangestothecomplaintsprocess.

• Complaint enquiries:Respondedtoanincreasingnumberoftelephoneandface-to-faceenquiriesfrompotentialcomplainants.Thisadvicerolehasbecomeanimportantpartofthecomplaintswork,andwebelievethatsuccessfullyresolvingthesequerieshascontributedtothedropincomplaintnumbersin2006–07.

• Complaints finalised:Exceededourtimestandardandfinalised97%ofcomplaintswithinsixmonthsofreceiptand100%withineightmonthsofreceipt.

• Translation and interpreting:Providedassistancetocomplainantsandpotentialcomplainantswithtranslationandinterpretingservices.

Advice to the public TheCommissionprovidesadvicetothepublicaboutthecomplaintsprocessthrough:

• ourwebsitewhichprovidesaneasytounderstandguidetotheCommission’scomplaintsprocessandacomplaintsformfordownloading

• provisionofaplainEnglishbrochureoutliningthecomplaintsprocess

• assistancetopotentialcomplainantswithtranslationandinterpretingservices

• respondingtotelephoneandface-to-faceenquiries

• givingtalksonthecomplaintsprocesstointerestedgroups

• detailingthecomplaintsprocessintheAnnualReport.


† See Appendix 1 for further details of the complaints process .

Figure 9 The complaints process†

The Commission receives a written complaint accompanied by a statutory declaration verifying the complaint particulars

The Commission acknowledges receipt of the complaint and notifies the judicial

officer of the complaint

Commission members undertake a preliminary examination of the complaint

Complaint summarily dismissed

Complaint referred to Conduct Division for examination

Complainant and judicial officer

notified of decision

Complaint referred to appropriate head of

jurisdiction who may counsel the judicial officer

or make administrative arrangements within his or her court to avoid a

recurrence of the problem. Complainant and judicial

officer notified of decision

Conduct Division reports to relevant head of

jurisdiction setting out conclusions including recommendations as to steps that might be taken to deal with the

complaint

Copy of report provided to judicial officer and

the Commission

Conduct Division reports to Governor setting out

its opinion that the matter could

justify parliamentary consideration of removal

The Attorney General lays the report before both Houses of Parliament

Parliament considers whether the conduct justifies the removal of the judicial officer

from office

Judicial officer

not removed

Judicial officer removed from office by Governor on the ground of proved

misbehaviour or incapacity

Complaint wholly or partly substantiated but does not justify removal

Complaint wholly or partly substantiated

and could justify removal

Complainant notified of decision


COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AND FINALISEDTheCommissionaimstoinvestigatecomplaintsinatimelyandeffectivemanner.InanyconsiderationofthestatisticsofthecomplaintsdealtwithbytheCommission,itmustberememberedthatthereareapproximately300judicialofficersinNewSouthWaleswhointherelevantperioddealtwithinexcessof500,000matters.AscanbeseenfromFigure10,thenumberofcomplaintstheCommissionreceivesisrelativelylowandcomplaintnumbershavereducedinrecentyears.

• Complaints received:In2006–07,47individualcomplainantsmadeatotalof51complaintsabout42judicialofficers.Onecomplainantmadethreecomplaintsandtwocomplainantssubmittedtwocomplaintseach.Thebalanceofcomplaintsweresubmittedindividually.Inaddition,theCommissionreceivedtworeferencesfromtheAttorneyGeneralundersection16(1)oftheJudicial Officers Act.Areferenceistreatedasacomplaintunderthelegislation.AscanbeseenfromFigure10,duringtheperiodtherewasa23%decreaseinthenumberofcomplaintsreceived.

• Complaints examined and dismissed:Thevastmajorityofcomplaintsweredismissedbecausetheydisclosednomisconduct.TheCommissiondismissed50complaintsduringtheyearbasedoncriteriaoutlinedinsection20oftheJudicial Officers Act1986.DetailsaresetoutinTable3onpage32.

• Complaints referred to head of jurisdiction: TheCommission referredfivecomplaintstotherelevantheadofjurisdictionfollowingapreliminaryexamination.Thisactionwastakenbecause,intheopinionoftheCommission,thecomplaintsdidnotwarranttheattentionoftheConductDivision.IneachcasetheCommissionformallynotifiedtheheadofjurisdictioninwritingofitsdecisionandprovidedallrelevantmaterial.Thecomplainantandjudicialofficerwerealsoadvisedoftheactiontakeninrelationtothecomplaint.

• Complaints referred to Conduct Division: TheCommissionreferredonecomplainttoaConductDivision:see“WorkandactivityoftheConductDivision”formoreinformation.

Work and activity of the Conduct DivisionOn14August2006,followingapreliminaryexaminationconductedbytheCommissionundersection18oftheJudicial Officers Act1986,theCommissiondeterminedthatacomplaintconcerningallegedmisconductshouldnotbedismissedandshouldbereferredtotheConductDivisionforinvestigation.

Thecomplaintinessenceallegedthatamagistratehaddeniedadefendantproceduralfairnessbyproceedingtohearanddetermineacaseagainsthiminhisabsence.Hewasabsentbecausehehadbeenarrestedandremovedfromthecourtforcontemptbyorderofthemagistrateduringthehearing.Itwasfurtherallegedthatthejudicialofficerdemonstratedacontemptforself-representedlitigants.

TheConductDivisionappointedbytheCommissiontoexaminethiscomplaintconsistedof:

• TheHonourableSimonShellerAOQC(Chairperson)

• TheHonourableJusticeVirginiaBell

• TheHonourableJusticeMonikaSchmidt

TheCrownSolicitorandSeniorandJuniorCounselwereinstructedtoassisttheConductDivisioninitsinquiry.

Cheryl Condon, Executive Assistant, assists complainants with enquiries about the complaints process and the progress of their complaints.

Annual Report 2006–2007 3�

InexaminingthecomplainttheConductDivisionconsideredthematerialavailabletotheCommission,includingresponsesbythemagistratetoissuesraisedbytheCommissionduringitspreliminaryexamination.TheConductDivisionalsoinitiatedinvestigationsbytheCrownSolicitorandCounselassisting.Statementswereobtainedfromwitnesses,andsoundrecordingsandtranscriptsoftheLocalCourtproceedingswerereviewed.

Figure 10 Number of complaints received and finalised by the Commission 2002–07

TheConductDivisionfoundthat,initsopinion,thecomplaintrelatedtotheexerciseofajudicialfunctionthatwassubjecttoadequateappealorreviewrights.Itwasalsooftheviewtherewasnoconductonthepartofthemagistratewhichwouldconstitutejudicialmisconduct.Otherallegationsconcerningthemagistrate’sattitudetowardsself-representedlitigantswerefoundtobenotsubstantiated.Accordinglytheentirecomplaintwasdismissedundersection26oftheAct.

Complaintspendingat30June�006 �5

Complaintsmadeduringtheyear 53

Totalnumberofcomplaints 68

Complaintsexaminedanddismissedundersections�8and�0oftheAct 50

Complaintsreferredtoheadofjurisdiction 5

ComplaintsreferredtoConductDivision �

Complaintswithdrawn �

Totalnumberofmattersfinalised 58

Complaintspendingat30June�007 �0

Table 2 Complaint particulars

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2006–072005–062004–052003–042002–03

Complaints received Complaints finalised

6577

89

69

121 119

6983

53 58

3� Judicial Commission of New South Wales

Benchmarking of performanceNSWistheonlyjurisdictioninAustraliathathasestablishedanorganisationtodealwithcomplaintsagainstjudicialofficers.TheCommissionbenchmarksitstimestandardexternallyagainstbodiessuchastheCanadianJudicialCouncil,whichperformsasimilarfunctioninacomparablelegalenvironment,andinternallyagainstperformancetargets.TheCanadianJudicialCouncilaimstofinaliseover94%ofcomplaintsagainstjudicialofficerswithinsixmonths,comparablewiththeCommission’stargetof90%.Thetimetakentofinalisecomplaintsinmostcategorieshasremainedconsistentoverthepastfiveyears:seeTable4.

Table 3 Criteria adopted for dismissing complaints

Criteria Section Number of complaints

ThecomplaintwasonethattheCommissionwasnotrequiredtodealwith �0(�)(a) �

Thecomplaintwasfrivolous,vexatiousornotingoodfaith �0(�)(b) 6

Thecomplaintwasfrivolous,vexatiousornotingoodfaithandrelatedtotheexerciseofajudicialorotherfunctionthatisorwassubjecttoadequateappealorreviewrights

�0(�)(b)&(f) �

Thecomplaintrelatedtotheexerciseofajudicialorotherfunctionthatisorwassubjecttoadequateappealorreviewrights

�0(�)(f) �

Thecomplaintrelatedtotheexerciseofajudicialorotherfunctionthatisorwassubjecttoadequateappealorreviewrightsandhavingregardtoallthecircumstancesofthecase,furtherconsiderationofthecomplaintwouldbeorisunnecessaryorunjustifiable

�0(�)(f)&(h) �3

Thepersoncomplainedaboutwasnolongerajudicialofficer �0(�)(g) 3

Havingregardtoallthecircumstancesofthecase,furtherconsiderationofthecomplaintwouldbeorisunnecessaryorunjustifiable

�0(�)(h) �4

Table 4 Percentage of complaints finalised 2002–07

3 months 6 months(target 90%)

12 months(target 100%)

�00�–03 7�% 94% �00%

�003–04 76% �00% –

�004–05 83% 97% �00%

�005–06 7�% 95% �00%

�006–07 48% 97% �00%


Vexatious complaints TheCommissionhasfromtimetotimereceivedcomplaintsfrompeoplewhohabituallyandpersistently,andmischievouslyorwithoutanyreasonablegrounds,makecomplaintsaboutjudicialofficers.TheCommissionhaspowerunderitsActtodeclarethesepeopleavexatiouscomplainant.

Inits20yearsofoperation,theCommissionhasdeclaredfivepeoplevexatiouscomplainants.Onesuchdeclarationwasmadethisyearforacomplainantwhohadmade12complaintsabout11differentjudicialofficersoveraperiodof12years.Thecomplaints,withoneexceptionwherethecomplaintwaswithdrawnbythecomplainant,werealldismissedbytheCommissionforlackofsubstance.

TheeffectofthedeclarationisthattheCommissionmaydisregardanyfurthercomplaintfromthecomplainantwhilethedeclarationremainsinforce.

PATTERNS IN THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF COMPLAINTSTheCommissionmonitorspatternsinthenatureandscopeofcomplaintsreceived,inordertoidentifyanyareasthatmayneedtobeaddressedthroughjudicialeducationprograms.Informationgatheredfrompastcomplaintshasbeenusedtodevelopeducationprogramsondomesticviolence,culturalawarenesstrainingandsexualassaultissues,andillustrateshowthecomplaintsfunctioncomplementstheotherworkoftheCommission.

• Common causes of complaint:Commoncausesofcomplaintin2006–07includedallegationsofbias,failuretogiveafairhearing,inappropriatecommentsandremarks,andincompetence;aswellasallegationsthatanunsuccessfulpartytolitigationwasnotgivenaproperopportunitytopresenthisorhercase:seeFigure11onpage34formoredetails.

• Substitution for appeals:Somemattersamount,inessence,toacomplaintthatajudicialofficerhasmadeawrongdecision.Frequently,complaintsofthiskindaremadeinapparentsubstitutionforappealstoahighercourt.Whereapartytolitigationisaggrievedbyanunfavourabledecision,butforonereasonoranother,doesnotwishtoappeal,apersonalcomplaintagainstthejudicialdecision-maker,allegingbiasorincompetence,issometimesmade.Suchcomplaintsaredealtwithontheirmerits,buttheCommissionisnotanappellatetribunalwithafunctionofcorrectingallegedlyerroneousdecisions.

• Allegations of bias or prejudice:Acommongroundofcomplaintisthatofajudicialofficerpreferringtheevidenceofonepartyorwitnesstotheevidenceofanother.Whilesuchisatypicaltaskforajudicialofficer,theprocesscanbemisconstrued,especiallybythelosingside,asbiasorprejudice,andleadtoacomplaint.Thiscategoryaccountedfor21%ofcomplaintsmadetotheCommissionthisyear,whichisasimilarpercentagetothepreviousyear.

• Discourtesy or inappropriate comments: Thisyeareightcomplaintsallegeddiscourtesyorinappropriatecommentsmadebyajudicialofficer.Intotalthesecomplaintsaccountedforapproximately16%ofallcomplaintsreceivedin2006–07comparedwith20%inthesetwocategorieslastyear.

• Complaints arising from AVO proceedings:OverrecentyearstheCommissionhasnotedthehighproportionofcomplaintsreceivedwhicharosefromproceedingsinvolvingapplicationsforApprehendedViolenceOrders(AVOs).ThisyearthenumberofcomplaintsarisingfromAVOproceedingshasreducedandrepresents16%ofallcomplaintsmadetotheCommission.


Case study: Complaint referred to head of jurisdiction

Complaint

The complaint, referred to the Commission by the Attorney General, alleged that the magistrate’s conduct towards a victim in an assault matter was in conflict with acceptable standards of treatment for victims of crime.

After failing to appear in court to give evidence as a witness, the victim was arrested. The magistrate refused to grant the victim bail on the basis that she had failed to appear at court on the earlier occasion. However, he granted bail to the defendant. The victim was remanded in custody to a correctional facility approximately 200 kilometres from her home. She remained in custody for six days until the next hearing date, when bail was granted.

Figure 11 Common causes of complaint: Basis of allegations

Examination by the Commission

TheCommissionconducteditspreliminaryexaminationbyreviewingthetranscriptsofthehearings.Italsoreceivedadetailedresponsefromthejudicialofficertothemattersraisedinthecomplaint.Inhisresponsethemagistrateacknowledgedthathisdecisionwasincorrectandexpressedhisremorse.TheCommissiondeterminedthatthecomplaintshouldnotbedismissedandreferredittotheChiefMagistratetodealwithastherelevantheadofjurisdiction.

Case study: Unrepresented complainant

Complaint

The complainant, a self-represented party in proceedings for an apprehended violence order, complained about the lack of an interpreter in court.

The complainant told the magistrate (in broken English) that he was seeking a solicitor and an interpreter. The magistrate was informed that

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

OtherImpairment

DelayDiscourtesy

Collusion

Inappropriate comments

Incompetence

BiasFailure to give fair hearing

Perc

ent

2006–072005–062004–052003–042002–03


legal aid was not available and suggested that the parties go to mediation and that an interpreter be provided. A further date was set for the matter to come back before the court and an interim order was placed on the complainant. The magistrate stated the conditions of the interim order without using an interpreter because he had been assured by the solicitor for the other party that the complainant had a reasonable command of English. There was no reason for the magistrate to think that the solicitor would mislead the court. The complainant breached the order and was arrested. He complained that he had been arrested because there was no interpreter to explain the orders when they were made by the magistrate.


TheCommission’sexaminationofthecomplaintrevealedthatthejudicialofficeractedingoodfaithbutinthemistakenbeliefthatthecomplainanthadasufficientunderstandingofEnglishtounderstandtheproceedings.WhiletheCommissionwasoftheviewthatitwouldhavebeenappropriateforthemagistratetohavehadaninterpreterpresenttoassistthecomplainant,thefailuretodosodidnotconstitutejudicialmisconduct.

Case study: Jury directions

Complaint

The complainant, a close relative of persons killed in a tragic motor vehicle accident, alleged that the judge in a criminal trial related to the accident had not directed the jury in a balanced or fair manner.


TheCommissiondismissedthecomplaintafterreviewingatranscriptofthetrialandthejudge’ssumminguptothejury.

TheexaminationrevealedthataftertheCrowncasehadclosedandallprosecutionevidencehadbeengiven,thejudgeprovidedthejurywithasummingupoftheCrown’scase.Beforethejuryretiredtoconsideritsverdict,thejudgeinvitedbothcounseltoseekfurtherdirectionstothejuryastoanymattersoffact.Defencecounselsubmittedthatonedirectionrequiredclarification,towhichtheCrownProsecutoragreed.Thejurydecidedtoacquittheaccusedperson.

Ajudgeisrequiredtoensureafairtrial:aspartofthisrequirementajudgemustdirectthejurythattheycannotconvictunlesstheyaresatisfiedoftheguiltofanaccusedpersonbeyondreasonabledoubt.Asinthiscase,therequirementissometimesperceivedasthejudgefavouringthedefenceagainsttheprosecutionandnothandlingthetrialfairly.

Case study: Disclosure of confidential information

Complaint

The complainant, a case worker at a women’s refuge, complained that the judicial officer had breached confidentiality by disclosing contact details of the refuge during an AVO hearing.


TheCommission’sexaminationofthetranscriptofproceedingsrevealedthatwhilethemagistratedidrefertotherefugebyname,hedidnotreadoutthepostaladdressorthetelephonenumberashadbeenalleged.TheCommissionwasoftheviewthattheconcernexpressedbythecomplainantwaswellraised,buttheactionsofthemagistratedidnotconstitutemisconductandthecomplaintwasdismissed.

AsaresulttheChiefMagistrate,whoisamemberoftheCommission,wrotetoallmagistratestoremindthemthatwhereverpossiblesuchdetailsshouldnotbedisclosed.

Mr Faqi Geng, Deputy Director, Tianjin Supervision Bureau, visited the Commission in October 2006 as head of a Delegation from the Tianjin Discipline Committee and the Tianjing Supervision Bureau, People’s Republic of China. The delegation met with the Chief Executive, Ernie Schmatt, to learn about the Commission and particularly its complaints function.


Corporate OperationsCORPORATE SERVICESToimprovetheefficiencyandeffectivenessofcorporateservices,in2006–07we:

• engagedtheInternalAuditBureautoauditallstaffleaverecordsinpreparationfortheimplementationofnewpersonnelandleavesoftware

• engagedtheInternalAuditBureautoreviewtheCommission’shumanresourcespracticesandprocedures

• implementedanewfinancesystemtostreamlineprocessingandmaintenanceofaccounts

• implementedanewhumanresourcesandpayrollsystemtomaintainpersonnelandleaverecordsandimproveproductivity

• draftedaninductionkitfornewemployeeswhichwillbeimplementedin2007–08

• reviewedandimprovedrecruitmentpracticestoensureamoretransparentandaccountableprocess

• implementedarevisedperformancereviewsystemtoensureamoreconsistentanduniformprocessacrosstheCommission

• pilotedanewelectronicflexsheettoensureconsistencyinformatandtoreducethescopeforerror

• updatedthestaffintranettoincludeallpersonnelpolicies

• facilitatedatwodaystrategicplanningworkshopforseniormanagementtoexplorewaysinwhichtheCommissioncancarryoutitsfunctionsmoreefficientlyandeffectively.

OUR STAFFTheCommissionprovidesasafe,harmoniousandproductiveworkingenvironmentthatoffersinterestingandfulfillingwork,motivatesstafftoexcelintheperformanceoftheirduties,andallowsthemtodevelopbothprofessionallyandpersonally.

Table 5 Five-year comparison of average number of employees by category

2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07

Seniorexecutive 3 3 3 3 3

Sentencing/judicialeducation �6 �9 �9 �9 30

Administration/managementsupport 5 5 5 6 6

Total staff 34 37 37 38 39†

† The Commission has 34.5 full time equivalent employees.

2005–06 2006–07

Level† Total Female Total Female

6 � 0 � 0

� � � � �

Total 3 1 3 1

Table 6 Executive positions

† Equivalent to CES and SES levels in the Public Sector.


Employment conditionsTheCommissionisanemployerundertheJudicial Officers Act1986,withconditionsofemploymentbeinggenerallyequivalenttothoseoftheNewSouthWalesPublicService.MembersofthePublicServicewhoacceptapositionattheCommissionretainvariousrightsandbenefits,suchassuperannuationandextendedleave.

Personnel overviewDuring2006–07:

• averagesickleavetakenwas4.7daysperemployee

• oneclaimwaslodgedthroughworkers’compensationformedicalexpenses;nodayswererecordedasbeinglost

• a4%salaryincreasewasawardedtostafffrom1July2006whichmirroredtheincreasesprovidedtopublicsectoremployeesundertheCrown Employees (Public Sector — Salaries 2004) Award,anda4%salaryincreasewasawardedtotheseniorexecutivefrom1October2006

• noindustrialactionoccurred

• 62%ofstaffhadfiveormoreyearsserviceand38%ofstaffhadtenormoreyearsservice

• staffturnoverratewas18%.

Staff development and trainingTheCommissionrecognisesthatourstaffareourmostimportantassetandwehelpthemdeveloptheirfullpotential.During2006–07staffattendedanumberofcoursesthatwerechosenforthepurposesofdevelopingpersonalattributes,obtainingfurtherprofessionalskillsorenhancingexistingskillsinestablishedareasofexpertise,forexample:

• ITstaffattendedstructuredtrainingprogramsonapplicationdevelopmentandopensourceoperatingsystems

• editorialstaffattendedseminarsondevelopmentsinlegaleducation,aswellasseminarsdesignedtoraisetheirawarenessofcurrentlegalissues

• executivemanagersattendedanumberofconferencestofurthertheirprofessionaldevelopment

• administrativestaffattendedtrainingonsalarypackaging,fringebenefitstax,fraudcontrol,bullyingandharassment,andarangeofcomputerprograms

• threestaffmembersattendedatwo-daycourseinseniorfirstaidtobequalifiedasintermediatefirstaidofficers.

Inaddition,theCommissionsupportedsixstaffmembersundertakingtertiarystudybyprovidingstudyleave.

The Commission’s staff includes specialists in legal research, legal publishing, legal education and information technology. Pictured from left: Elizabeth Sarofim, Research Trainee and Fleur Findlay, Senior Editor (Legal).


Performance appraisalTheCommission’sperformancemanagementsystemprovidesforregularreviewsbetweensupervisorsandstaffaswellasformalappraisalsonanannualbasis.Theperformanceappraisalsystemwasreviewedin2005–06toensureitmetourneeds.Animprovedperformancemanagementsystemwasimplementedin2006–07whichprovidesamoretransparentandbalancedapproach.

Safe working environment — Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)In2006–07,oneclaimforworker’scompensationarisingfromanincidentintheofficewasreported,thesamenumberasinthepreviousyear.TherewerenoworkrelatedillnessesorprosecutionsundertheOccupational Health and Safety Act 2000.

In2006–07,themainfocusofOH&Sactivitieswasonassessingworkstationsforanypotentialergonomicissues,carryingoutfiredrillsandcontinuingtomonitortheworkenvironmentforanypotentialhazards.

Asasmallorganisation,theCommissionconsidersanOH&Srepresentativetobemoreappropriatethanacommittee.Nominationsweresoughtfortheposition,andstaffendorsedtheappointmentofanOH&SrepresentativeinJune2007.Followingtheappointment,theOH&SrepresentativeattendedthemandatorytrainingcourseinOH&Sconsultation.Inaddition,theDirector,InformationManagementandCorporateServiceswillalsoundertakethetrainingtoensureheisqualifiedtocarryoutanoversightrole.

ACCESS AND EQUITYAction plan for womenTheNSWGovernment’sActionPlanforWomenaimstorecogniseandaddresswomen’sneedsingovernmentpoliciesandservices.In2006–07,theCommissionwasresponsiblefor:

• providinganeducationprogramonsexualassaultaspartofoureducationprogramforjudicialofficers.Thisprogramwasdesignedtoraiseawarenessamongandprovideinformationtojudicialofficersonhowtodealwithsexualassaultissues:seepage15fordetails

• providinganeducationprogramondomesticviolenceforallmagistratesatthemetropolitanandregionalseminars

• contributingtoimprovedlegislation,policiesandproceduresaimedatreducingviolenceagainstwomenthroughrepresentationontheApprehendedViolenceLegalIssuesCo-ordinatingCommitteeandtheSexualAssaultReviewCommittee.

Spokeswomen’s ProgramTheSpokeswomen’sProgramaimstoassistwomenenhancetheirknowledgeandskillstoenablefullandequalparticipationintheworkplace.Spokeswomen’sactivitiesin2006–07centredaroundthedisseminationofrelevantinformationtostaff—particularlythroughdedicatedareasonthestaffintranet,adedicatedin-officenoticeboardanddisplayarea,andanemailmailinglist.

Equal employment opportunity TheCommissionsupportsandimplementstheprinciplesofequalemploymentopportunity.TheCommissionperformsexcellentlyontherepresentationofwomenandpeoplewhosefirstlanguagewasnotEnglish,exceedingthegovernment’stargetsinbothareas:seeTable7.TheCommissioniscommittedto:

• providingaproductiveworkenvironmentthatisfreefromdiscriminationandharassment

• fosteringtheprofessionaldevelopmentofstaffinamannerthatattractsandretainsemployees

• providingopportunitiestostafftoactinhigherdutiesandtakeupsecondmentstootheragenciesinordertogainexperience.

The Commission is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. Pictured from left: Tom Gotsis, Senior Research Officer (Legal) and Jenny Zhang, Finance and Payroll Officer.


Ethnic Affairs Priorities StatementTheCommission’sEthnicAffairsPrioritiesStatementoutlineshowtheCommissionincorporatestheprinciplesofmulticulturalismintoourprograms.In2006–07theCommissionincorporatedtheprinciplesofmulticulturalismintoourprogramsthroughfourongoingstrategies:

• Wecommunicatedwithcomplainantsfromanon-EnglishspeakingbackgroundbyacceptingwrittencomplaintsinlanguagesotherthanEnglishandbyusingtheTranslatingandInterpretingServiceforassistancewithinterviews,writtentranslationsandphonecallswhenevernecessary:seealsopage28.

• Weprovidedsessionsonculturaldiversityinoureducationprogramtoenablejudicialofficerstorecogniseandappreciatetheculturaldifferencesthatexistinourcommunity.

• WeensuredaccreditedinterpreterswerepresentforalloverseasdelegationsvisitingtheCommission.

• WeupdatedtheEquality before the Law Bench Booktoensurethatitreflectsanychangestothespecialrequirementsofninedifferentgroupsofpeople(includingpeoplefromanethnicormigrantbackgroundandpeoplewithaparticularreligiousaffiliation),

Table 7 Five-year trends in the representation of EEO groups1

% of total staff2

EEO Group Benchmark/ target

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Women 50 63 63 6� 63 67

AboriginalpeopleandTorresStraitIslanders � 3 3 0 0 0

PeoplewhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglish �0 �6 �6 30 �6 ��

Peoplewithadisability �� 0 3 0 0 0

Peoplewithadisabilityrequiringwork-relatedadjustment

7 0 3 0 0 0

1. These percentages reflect staff numbers as at 30 June 2007.

2. Excludes casual staff.

Note: The Distribution Index is not calculated when EEO group or non-EEO group numbers are less than 20. As a result the Commission is unable to publish the details of trends in the distribution of salary levels of EEO group members.

whofacepotentialbarriersinrelationtofullandequitableparticipationincourtproceedings.

Guarantee of service and consumer responseAlthoughtheCommission’smainfocusistoprovideeducationandsentencinginformationforjudicialofficers,wedohaveamoregeneralservicedeliveryroleinourcomplaintsfunction.TheCommissionguaranteestoinvestigatecomplaintsinatimelyandeffectivemanner,andtokeepcomplainantsinformedabouttheprogressoftheircomplaints:seepage32fortimestandardsrelatingtocomplaintsaboutjudicialofficers.

TheCommissioniscommittedtoprovidingcourteousandpromptassistanceinalldealingswiththepublic.Requestsforinformationcanbemadeinperson,overthephoneorviaemail,andinformationabouttheCommissionisavailableontheCommission’swebsiteathttp://www.judcom.nsw.gov.au.Mostcontactfromthepublicisaboutcomplaints,publicationsandsentencinginformation.


Electronic service delivery InlinewiththeNSWGovernment’scommitmenttoelectronicservicedeliveryviatheinternet,theCommissionprovidesmanyofourservicesonline,including:

• providinginformationabouttheCommission,thecomplaintsprocessandthecomplaintsformonourwebsite

• providingJIRSovertheinternetforjudicialofficersandsubscribers

• makingLawcodesavailableovertheinternet

• providingsomepublicationsonlineontheCommission’swebsite

• handlingonlineordersforCommissionpublicationsontheNSWGovernment’sonlineshopatwww.shop.nsw.gov.au.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUESWaste reduction and recycling policyIn2006–07,theCommissioncontinuedtomeetourobligationsundertheGovernment’sWasteReductionandPurchasingPolicyby:

• reducing waste generationthroughelectroniccommunicationmethods,includingemail,publishingCommissiondocumentsonlineonJIRSandtheCommission’swebsite,distributinginternalpoliciesontheCommission’sintranet,encouragingonlinepaymentsforJudicialCommissionpublicationsandintroducingdirectdepositpaymentsforexternalsuppliers

• increasing resource recoverythroughrecyclingusedtonercartridges,paperwasteandcomputerequipment.In2006–07,theCommissionrecycled50%ofourexcesscomputerCPUs,laptopsandmonitors,27tonercartridgesand1.8tonnesofwastepaper(reducedfrom4.2tonnesofwastepaperin2005–06).Thereductionintheamountofwastepaperbeingrecycledreflectstheeffortsputintoreducingtheamountofwastepapergenerated

• using recycled materialsuchas100%recycledofficepaper,recycledtonercartridgesandrequiringstationerysuppliesandprinterconsumablestocontainarecycledcomponentwhereavailable.

Energy managementTheCommission’spolicyofeffectiveenergymanagementisimplementedthroughthreemainstrategies:

• purchasingenergyefficientcomputerandofficeequipment

• minimisingenergyconsumptionafterhours

• raisingstaffawarenessoftheneedtoconserveenergy.

TheCommission’stotalenergyusefor2006–07was552GJ.

LIBRARY OPERATIONSTheCommission’slibraryspecialisesintheareasofcriminology,sentencingandjudicialeducation.Thepastyearsawamarkedincreaseintheuseoflibraryresources,makingitthebusiestyearthelibraryhasyetexperienced.In2006–07:

• referenceandresearchenquirieswere73%higherthanin2005–06

• interlibraryloansincreasedby33%over2005–06

• afurther64newitemswereaddedtothelibrary’sonlinecatalogue

• bibliographicalsupportwasprovidedtotwonewprojects,theCivil Trials Bench BookandtheSexual Assault Handbook,inadditiontoongoingsupportfortheCommission’sresearch,educationandpublishingprograms.

AmajorchallengeforthelibrarianistocontinuetomeettheneedsoftheCommission’srapidlyexpandingresearchandpublishingprograms,inparticularduetothehighcostofonlineaccesstolegalsubscriptionservices.SinceAugust2004,thelibrarianhasbeeninvolvedindiscussionswithcourtlibrariansandselectedgovernmentagenciesonthefeasibilityofestablishingaconsortiuminanefforttoreducethecostoflegalmaterials.TheNSWJusticeConsortiumbegannegotiationswithselectedlegalpublishersinJuly2006,andhastodateachievedasubstantialreductionincostsforallparticipants.Bythebeginningof2007,theCommissionhadachievedaninfinitelybetterresourcedlibraryviaincreasedonlineaccesstooverseasandlocaldatabasesatnoextracost.


OPERATING ENVIRONMENTLegislative charterTheCommission’sprincipalfunctionsundertheJudicial Officers Act1986areto:

• organiseandsuperviseanappropriateschemeforthecontinuingeducationandtrainingofjudicialofficers

• assistthecourtstoachieveconsistencyinimposingsentences

• examinecomplaintsagainstjudicialofficers.

TheCommissionmayalso:

• giveadvicetotheAttorneyGeneralonsuchmattersastheCommissionthinksappropriate

• liaisewithpersonsandorganisationsinconnectionwiththeperformanceofitsfunctions

• enterintoandcarryoutcontractualarrangementsforthesupplyofservicesthatmakeuseofinformationtechnology,expertise,orotherthingsdevelopedbytheCommissionintheexerciseofitsfunctions.

Changes to legislationTheCommissionoperatesundertheJudicial Officers Act1986andtheJudicial Officers Regulation2006.In2006–07,theJudicial Officers Actwasamendedby:

• theJudicial Officers Amendment Act2006—amendmentsrelatingtoprovisionsforcomplainthandlingandinvestigatingthesuspectedimpairmentofjudicialofficerscommencedon1July2006

• theStatute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act(No2)2006—amendmentsremovingaredundantpartoftheActcommencedon4December2006

• theJudicial Officers Amendment Act2007—amendmentsprovidingfortheappointmentofcommunityrepresentativestotheConductDivisioncommencedon4July2007.

Aspartofthestagedrepealofstatutoryrules,theJudicial Officers Regulation2006repealedandreplacedtheJudicial Officers Regulation2000on1December2006.

Privacy management planDuetothenatureoftheCommission’sactivities,inparticularourcomplaint-handlingfunctionandtheprovisionofsentencinginformation,wehavesomeuniqueissuestodealwithinourPrivacyCodeofPracticeandPrivacyManagementPlan.Asaresult,itisstillindraftform.TheCommissiondidnotconductanyreviewsunderPart5ofthePrivacy and Personal Information Protection Act1998.

Risk management and insuranceIn2006–07,theCommissioncontractedtheInternalAuditBureautoundertakeariskassessmentreviewfocusedonconfirmingtheoperationalintegrityofourfinancial,humanresourcesandadministrativesupportsystems.TheauditfindingsrevealedthattheCommissiondemonstratedadiligentapproachtotheprocessofriskidentification,analysis,evaluationandtreatmentofrisk.TheauditalsoidentifiedthattheCommission’soverallriskratingcanbefurtherreducedandtheCommissionisimplementingtherecommendations.

Anappropriateformandlevelofinsuranceexistsinrelationtoallidentifiableriskexposures.TheCommissionisamemberoftheTreasuryManagedFund,whichprovidescomprehensivecoverforphysicalassets,suchasplantandequipment,motorvehiclesandmiscellaneousmatters.Themanagedfundprovidescoverageforstaffthroughworkers’compensationandforthepublicthroughpublicliabilitycover.


FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Payment of accounts

AsshowninTables8and9,duringthereportingperiodtheCommissionpaidallaccountsontimeandwasnotrequiredtopaypenaltyinterestonanyaccount.

Consultants

TheCommissiondidnotemployanyconsultantsthisyear.

Credit card certification

TheChiefExecutivecertifiesthatcreditcardusageintheCommissionhasmetbestpracticeguidelinesinaccordancewithPremier’sMemorandaandTreasuryDirections.

Table 8 Aged analysis at the end of each quarter

Quarter Current (within due date)

Less than 30 days overdue

Between 30 & 60 days overdue

Between 60 & 90 days overdue

More than 90 days overdue

$ $ $ $ $

September�006 70,639.7� nil nil nil nil

December�006 69,�6�.7� nil nil nil nil

March�007 59,695.7� nil nil nil nil

June�007 5�,699.35 nil nil nil nil

Table 9 Accounts paid on time within each quarter

Quarter Total accounts paid on time Total amount paid

Target % Actual % $ $

September�006 �00 �00 70,639.7� 70,639.7�

December�006 �00 �00 69,�6�.7� 69,�6�.7�

March�007 �00 �00 59,695.7� 59,695.7�

June�007 �00 �00 5�,699.35 5�,699.35


Financial SummaryRevenueTheprincipalsourceofrevenuefortheCommissionisgovernmentcontributions($4.763millioncomparedwith$4.922millionin2005–06).Othermajorrevenueitemswere$550,000fromthesupplyofinformationtechnologyandconsultancyservicestoothergovernmentagencies,and$54,000fromthesaleofpublicationsandsubscriptionstoJIRS.

ExpenditureExpensestotalled$5.024million,anincreaseof$141,000over2005–06.Employee-related

Figure 12 Expenditure ($’000)

Depreciation and amortisation

Other expenses (Conduct Division)

Other operating expenses

Employee-related

2006–072005–06

3,332 3,400

1,334 1,430

139 78 104 90

Government contributions

Sale of goods and services

Investment revenue

Other revenue

2006–072005–06

4,922 4,763

692 627

18 51 24

Figure 13 Income ($’000)

expenseswere$3.4millionor67.7%oftotalexpenses(67.8%in2005–06).ExpenditureontheexaminationofcomplaintsbytheConductDivisionwas$104,000($139,000in2005–06).

AssetsCashbalancesincreasedby$549,000overthepreviousyearasaresultofincreasedrevenues.

LiabilitiesThe$58,000decreaseinliabilitiesover2005–06isduetoadecreaseinpayables.

Figure 14 Program expenditure† ($’000)

Judicial education‡

Research and sentencing

Complaints against judicial officers

2006–072005–06

1,585 2,025

684

2,505

494

2,614

† These expenditure figures include fixed overheads and support services such as information technology and corporate services.‡ The growth rate in expenditure in judicial education is mainly due to expenses relating to the writing of the Civil Trial Courts Bench

Book and Sexual Assault Handbook.


Financial ReportIndependentAuditReport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

CertificationofFinancialReport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

OperatingStatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

StatementofRecognisedIncomeandExpenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

BalanceSheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

CashFlowStatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

SummaryofCompliancewithFinancialDirectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

NotestoandformingpartoftheFinancialStatementsfortheyearended30June2007 . . . . . . . 52

Note

1. SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

2. ExpensesExcludingLosses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

3. Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

4. Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

5. AcceptancebytheCrownEntityofEmployeeBenefitsandOtherLiabilities . . . . . . . . . 57

6. Programs/ActivitiesoftheCommission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

7. CurrentAssets—CashandCashEquivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

8. CurrentAssets—Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

9. Non-CurrentAssets—PlantandEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

10. IntangibleAssets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

11. CurrentLiabilities—Payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

12. Current/Non-CurrentLiabilities—Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

13. ChangesinEquity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

14. CommitmentsforExpenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

15. ContingentLiabilitiesandContingentAssets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

16. BudgetReview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

17. ReconciliationofCashFlowsfromOperatingActivitiestoNetCostofServices . . . . . . . 61

18. FinancialInstruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

19. JointProgramwithAIJA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63


Certification of Financial Report

Pursuanttosection45FofthePublic Finance and Audit Act1983,Istatethat:

(a) theJudicialCommission’sFinancialReportisageneralpurposefinancialreportwhichhasbeenpreparedinaccordancewithapplicableAustralianAccountingStandardsandothermandatoryprofessionalreportingrequirements,therequirementsofthePublic Finance and Audit Act 1983,therequirementsofthefinancereportingdirectivespublishedintheFinancialReportingCodeforBudgetDependentGeneralGovernmentSectorAgencies,thePublic Finance and Audit Regulation 2005andtheTreasurer’sDirections;

(b) thefinancialreportexhibitsatrueandfairviewofthefinancialpositionandtransactionsoftheJudicialCommissionofNewSouthWalesfortheyearended30June2007;and

(c) therearenocircumstanceswhichwouldrenderanyparticularsincludedinthefinancialreporttobemisleadingorinaccurate.

E.J.SCHMATTChiefExecutiveDated:11October2007


Notes Actual�007

$’000

Budget�007

$’000

Actual�006

$’000

Expenses Excluding Losses

Operatingexpenses

Employeerelated �(a) 3,400 3,475 3,33�

Otheroperatingexpenses �(b) �,430 �,3�0 �,334

Depreciationandamortisation �(c) 90 80 78

Otherexpenses �(d) �04 – �39

Total Expenses Excluding Losses 5,0�4 4,865 4,883

Less:

Revenue

Salesofgoodsandservices 3(a) 6�7 �4� 69�

Investmentrevenue 3(b) 5� 8 �8

Otherrevenue 3(c) �4 5 –

Total Revenue 70� �54 7�0

Net Cost of Services �7 4,3�� 4,7�� 4,�73

Government Contributions

Recurrentappropriation 4 4,504 4,400 4,544

Capitalappropriation 4 88 �50 �50

AcceptancebytheCrownEntityofemployeebenefitsandotherliabilities �(e)(ii)&5 �7� ��9 ��8

Total Government Contributions 4,763 4,769 4,9��

SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 44� 58 749

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Operating Statementfortheyearended30June�007


Notes Actual�007

$’000

Budget�007

$’000

Actual�006

$’000

TOTAL INCOME AND EXPENSE RECOGNISED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY

Surplus/(Deficit)fortheYear 44� �58 749

TOTAL INCOME AND EXPENSE RECOGNISED FOR THE YEAR 44� �58 749

EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CORRECTION OF ERRORS

AccumulatedFunds – – 80

44� �58 8�9



Statement of Recognised Income and Expensefortheyearended30June�007


Notes Actual�007

$’000

Budget�007

$’000

Actual�006

$’000

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cashandcashequivalents 7 �,��9 683 680

Receivables 8 �� 387 387

Total Current Assets �,45� �,070 �,067

Non-Current Assets

Plantandequipment 9 �69 340 �79

Intangibleassets �0 �0 �0 �

Total Non-Current Assets �79 350 �80

Total Assets 1,730 1,420 1,347

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Payables �� 80 �7�

Provisions �� 344 348 34�

Total Current Liabilities 455 5�8 5�3

Non-Current Liabilities

Provisions �� 5 5 5

Total Non-Current Liabilities 5 5 5

Total Liabilities 460 533 518

Net Assets 1,270 887 829

EQUITY

Accumulatedfunds �3 �,�70 887 8�9

Total Equity 1,270 887 829



Balance Sheetasat30June�007


Notes Actual�007

$’000

Budget�007

$’000

Actual�006

$’000

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Payments

Employeerelated (3,398) (3,�4�) (3,��9)

Other (�,844) (�,489) (�,607)

Total Payments (5,�4�) (4,730) (4,736)

Receipts

Saleofgoodsandservices 867 �4� 364

Interestreceived 33 8 �3

Other �68 �84 ��8

Total Receipts �,�68 333 595

Cash Flows from Government

Recurrentappropriation 4,504 4,400 4,544

Capitalappropriation 88 �50 �50

CashreimbursementsfromtheCrownEntity ��0 – 75

Net Cash Flows from Government �7 4,7�� 4,550 4,769

NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 638 153 628

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

PurchasesofPlantandEquipment (88) (�50) (�50)

NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (88) (150) (�50)

NET INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH 549 3 478

Openingcashandcashequivalents 680 680 �0�

CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 7 �,��9 683 680



Cash Flow Statementfortheyearended30June�007


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1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Reporting Entity TheJudicialCommissionofNewSouthWales

(theCommission)isareportingentitywhichdoesnothaveanyentitiesunderitscontrol.

TheCommissionisastatutoryauthoritysetupundertheJudicial Officers Act1986.TheCommissionisanot-for-profitentity,asprofitisnotitsprincipalobjective.ThereportingentityisconsolidatedaspartoftheNSWTotalStateSectorAccounts.

Thisfinancialreportfortheyearended30June2007hasbeenauthorisedforissuebytheChiefExecutiveon11October2007.

(b) Basis of Preparation TheCommission’sfinancialreportisageneral

purposefinancialreportwhichhasbeenpreparedinaccordancewith:

• applicableAustralianAccountingStandards(whichincludeAustralianequivalentstoInternationalFinancialReportingStandards(AIFRS));

• therequirementsofthePublic Finance and Audit ActandRegulation;and

• theFinancialReportingDirectionspublishedintheFinancialReportingCodeforBudgetDependentGeneralGovernmentSectorAgenciesorissuedbytheTreasurer.

Plantandequipmentaremeasuredatfairvalue.Otherfinancialreportitemsarepreparedinaccordancewiththehistoricalcostconvention.

Judgements,keyassumptionsandestimationsmanagementhasmadearedisclosedintherelevantnotestothefinancialreport.

AllamountsareroundedtothenearestonethousanddollarsandareexpressedinAustraliancurrency.

(c) Statement of Compliance Thesefinancialstatementsandnotescomply

withAustralianAccountingStandards,whichincludeAIFRS.

JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALESNotestoandformingpartoftheFinancialStatementsfortheyearended30June�007

(d) Income Recognition Incomeismeasuredatthefairvalueofthe

considerationorcontributionreceivedorreceivable.Additionalcommentsregardingtheaccountingpoliciesfortherecognitionofrevenuearediscussedbelow.

(i) ParliamentaryAppropriationsandContributions

Parliamentaryappropriationsandcontributionsfromotherbodies(includinggrantsanddonations)aregenerallyrecognisedasincomewhentheCommissionobtainscontrolovertheassetscomprisingtheappropriations/contributions.Controloverappropriationsandcontributionsisnormallyobtaineduponthereceiptofcash.

Anexceptiontotheaboveiswhenappropriationsareunspentatyearend.Inthiscase,theauthoritytospendthemoneylapsesandgenerallytheunspentamountmustberepaidtotheConsolidatedFundinthefollowingfinancialyear.Asaresult,unspentappropriationsareaccountedforasliabilitiesratherthanrevenue.

(ii) SaleofGoods

RevenuefromthesaleofgoodsisrecognisedasrevenuewhentheCommissiontransfersthesignificantrisksandrewardsofownershipoftheassets.

(iii) RenderingofServices

Revenueisrecognisedwhentheserviceisprovidedorbyreferencetothestageofcompletion(basedonlabourhoursincurredtodate).

(iv) InvestmentRevenue

InterestrevenueisrecognisedusingtheeffectiveinterestmethodassetoutinAASB139Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.


(e) Employee Benefits and other provisions(i) SalariesandWages,AnnualLeave,Sick

LeaveandOn-Costs

Liabilitiesforsalariesandwages(includingnon-monetarybenefits),annualleaveandpaidsickleavethatfallduewhollywithin12monthsofthereportingdatearerecognisedandmeasuredinrespectofemployees’servicesuptothereportingdateatundiscountedamountsbasedontheamountsexpectedtobepaidwhentheliabilitiesaresettled.

Allannualleaveisexpectedtobetakenwithintwelvemonths.

Unusednon-vestingsickleavedoesnotgiverisetoaliabilityasitisnotconsideredprobablethatsickleavetakeninthefuturewillbegreaterthanthebenefitsaccruedinthefuture.

Theoutstandingamountsofpayrolltax,workers’compensationinsurancepremiumsandfringebenefitstax,whichareconsequentialtoemployment,arerecognisedasliabilitiesandexpenseswheretheemployeebenefitstowhichtheyrelatehavebeenrecognised.

(ii) LongServiceLeaveandSuperannuation

TheCommission’sliabilitiesforlongserviceleaveanddefinedbenefitsuperannuationareassumedbytheCrownEntity.TheCommissionaccountsfortheliabilityashavingbeenextinguished,resultingintheamountassumedbeingshownaspartofthenon-monetaryrevenueitemdescribedas“AcceptancebytheCrownEntityofEmployeeBenefitsandotherliabilities”.

LongserviceleaveismeasuredatpresentvalueinaccordancewithAASB119 Employee Benefits.Thisisbasedontheapplicationofcertainfactors(specifiedinNSWTC07/04)toemployeeswithfiveormoreyearsofservice,usingcurrentratesofpay.Thesefactorsweredeterminedbasedonanactuarialreviewtoapproximatepresentvalue.

ThesuperannuationexpenseforthefinancialyearisdeterminedbyusingtheformulaespecifiedintheTreasurer’sDirections.Theexpenseforcertainsuperannuationschemes(i.e.BasicBenefitandFirstStateSuper)iscalculatedasapercentageoftheemployees’salary.Forothersuperannuationschemes(namelyStateSuperannuationSchemeandStateAuthoritiesSuperannuationScheme),theexpenseiscalculatedasamultipleoftheemployees’superannuationcontributions.

(iii) OtherProvisions

Otherprovisionsexistwhen:theCommissionhasapresentlegalorconstructiveobligationasaresultofapastevent;itisprobablethatanoutflowofresourceswillberequiredtosettletheobligation;andareliableestimatecanbemadeoftheamountoftheobligation.

(f) Insurance

TheCommission’sinsuranceactivitiesareconductedthroughtheNSWTreasuryManagedFundSchemeofselfinsuranceforGovernmentagencies.Theexpense(premium)isdeterminedbytheFundManagerbasedonpastclaimexperience.

(g) Accounting for the Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Revenues,expensesandassetsarerecognisednetoftheamountofGST,exceptwhere:

• theamountofGSTincurredbytheCommissionasapurchaserthatisnotrecoverablefromtheAustralianTaxationOfficeisrecognisedaspartofthecostofacquisitionofanassetoraspartofanitemofexpense.

• receivablesandpayablesarestatedwiththeamountofGSTincluded.



(h) Acquisitions of Assets

ThecostmethodofaccountingisusedfortheinitialrecordingofallacquisitionsofassetscontrolledbytheCommission.Costistheamountofcashorcashequivalentspaidorthefairvalueoftheotherconsiderationgiventoacquiretheassetatthetimeofitsacquisitionorconstructionor,whereapplicable,theamountattributedtothatassetwheninitiallyrecognisedinaccordancewiththerequirementsofotherAustralianAccountingStandards.

Assetsacquiredatnocost,orfornominalconsideration,areinitiallyrecognisedattheirfairvalueatthedateofacquisition.

Fairvalueistheamountforwhichanassetcouldbeexchangedbetweenknowledgeable,willingpartiesinanarm’slengthtransaction.

Plantandequipmentandintangibleassetscosting$5,000andaboveindividually(orformingpartofanetworkcostingmorethan$5,000)arecapitalised.

(i) Revaluation of Plant and Equipment

Physicalnon-currentassetsarevaluedinaccordancewiththe“ValuationofPhysicalNon-CurrentAssetsatFairValue”PolicyandGuidelinesPaper(TPP05–3).ThispolicyadoptsfairvalueinaccordancewithAASB116Property, Plant and Equipment.

Plantandequipmentismeasuredonanexistingusebasis,wheretherearenofeasiblealternativeusesintheexistingnatural,legal,financialandsocio-politicalenvironment.However,inlimitedcircumstanceswheretherearefeasiblealternativeuses,assetsarevaluedattheirhighestandbestuse.

Fairvalueofplantandequipmentisdeterminedbasedonthebestavailablemarketevidence,includingcurrentmarketsellingpricesforthesameorsimilarassets.Wherethereisnoavailablemarketevidence,theasset’sfairvalueismeasuredatitsmarketbuyingprice,thebestindicatorofwhichisdepreciatedreplacementcost.

Non-specialisedassetswithshortusefullivesaremeasuredatdepreciatedhistoricalcost,asasurrogateforfairvalue.

(j) Depreciation of Plant and Equipment

Depreciationisprovidedforonastraight-linebasisforalldepreciableassetssoastowriteoffthedepreciableamountofeachassetasitisconsumedoveritsusefullifetotheCommission.Allmaterialseparatelyidentifiablecomponentsofassetsaredepreciatedovertheirshorterusefullives.TheCommissionhasthreeclassesofdepreciableassets:ComputerEquipment,OfficeFurniture,andOfficeEquipment.Thedepreciationratesapplicabletothesedepreciableassetsare33.3%,7.5%and10%respectively.

(k) Intangible Assets

TheCommissionrecognisesintangibleassetsonlyifitisprobablethatfutureeconomicbenefitswillflowtotheCommissionandthecostoftheassetcanbemeasuredreliably.Intangibleassetsaremeasuredinitiallyatcost.Whereanassetisacquiredatnoornominalcost,thecostisitsfairvalueatthedateofacquisition.

Allresearchcostsareexpensed.Developmentcostsareonlycapitalisedwhencertaincriteriaaremet.

Theusefullivesofintangibleassetsareassessedtobefinite.

Intangibleassetsaresubsequentlymeasuredatfairvalueonlyifthereisanactivemarket.AsthereisnoactivemarketfortheCommission’sintangibleassets,theassetsarecarriedatcostlessanyaccumulatedamortisation.

TheCommission’sintangibleassetsareamortisedusingthestraightlinemethodoveraperiodofthreeyears.




(l) Maintenance

Day-to-dayservicingcostsormaintenancearechargedasexpensesasincurred,exceptwheretheyrelatetothereplacementofapartorcomponentofanasset,inwhichcasethecostsarecapitalisedanddepreciated.

(m) Leased Assets

Adistinctionismadebetweenfinanceleaseswhicheffectivelytransferfromthelessortothelesseesubstantiallyalltherisksandbenefitsincidentaltoownershipoftheleasedassets,andoperatingleasesunderwhichthelessoreffectivelyretainsallsuchriskandbenefits.

OperatingleasepaymentsarechargedtotheOperatingStatementintheperiodsinwhichtheyareincurred.

(n) Receivables

Short-termreceivableswithnostatedinterestratearemeasuredattheoriginalinvoiceamountwheretheeffectofdiscountingisimmaterial.

(o) Payables

TheseamountsrepresentliabilitiesforgoodsandservicesprovidedtotheCommissionandotheramounts.Payablesarerecognised

initiallyatfairvalue,usuallybasedonthetransactioncostorfacevalue.Subsequentmeasurementisatamortisedcostusingtheeffectiveinterestmethod.Short-termpayableswithnostatedinterestratearemeasuredattheoriginalinvoiceamountwheretheeffectofdiscountingisimmaterial.

(p) Budgeted Amounts

Thebudgetedamountsaredrawnfromthebudgetsasformulatedatthebeginningofthefinancialyearandwithanyadjustmentsfortheeffectsofadditionalappropriations,s21A,s24and/ors26ofthePublic Finance and Audit Act 1983.

ThebudgetedamountsintheOperatingStatementandtheCashFlowStatementaregenerallybasedontheamountsdisclosedintheNSWBudgetPapers(asadjustedabove).However,intheBalanceSheet,theamountsvaryfromtheBudgetPapers,astheopeningbalancesofthebudgetedamountsarebasedoncarriedforwardactualamounts;i.e.pertheauditedfinancialreport(ratherthancarriedforwardestimates).


�007

$’000

�006

$’000

2. EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES(a) Employeerelatedexpenses:

Salariesandwages(includingrecreationleave) �,969 �,8�4

Superannuation—definedbenefitplans �56 �44

Superannuation—definedcontributionsplans 76 85

Longserviceleave (30) 63

Workers’compensationinsurance �6 �5

Payrolltaxandfringebenefittax ��3 �0�

3,400 3,33�

(b) Otheroperatingexpenses:

Operatingleaserentalexpense—minimumleasepayments 376 399

Feesforservices 445 404

Printing �34 93

Storesandequipment 45 57

Memberfees ��3 �0�

Booksandperiodicals 6� 49

Postalandtelephone 5� 43

Training �9 �5

Travelexpenses �0 �6

Datacommunications �0 �7

Electricity �7 �3

Insurance 7 8

Auditor’sremuneration—auditofthefinancialreport �8 �8

Recruitment 5 4

Maintenance 3� ��

Other 77 55

�,430 �,334

(c) Depreciationandamortisationexpense

Depreciation

Computerequipment 6� 46

Officefurniture �3 �3

Officeequipment �4 �3

88 7�

Amortisation

Intangibleassets � 6

90 78

(d) Otherexpenses

ConductDivision �04 �39

�04 �39



�007

$’000

�006

$’000

3. REVENUE(a) Saleofgoodsandservices

Saleofgoods �0 �9

Renderingofservices 607 673

6�7 69�

(b) Investmentrevenue

Interest 5� �8

5� �8

(c) Otherrevenue �4 –

4. APPROPRIATIONSRecurrent appropriations

TotalrecurrentdrawdownsfromNSWTreasury(perSummaryofCompliance) 4,504 4,544

Less:LiabilitytoConsolidatedFund(perSummaryofCompliance) – –

4,504 4,544

Capital appropriations

TotalcapitaldrawdownsfromNSWTreasury(perSummaryofCompliance) 88 �50

Less:LiabilitytoConsolidatedFund(perSummaryofCompliance) – –

88 �50

5. ACCEPTANCE BY THE CROWN ENTITY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND OTHER LIABILITIESThefollowingliabilitiesand/orexpenseshavebeenassumedbytheCrownEntityorothergovernmentagencies:

Superannuation 77 85

Longserviceleave 89 �38

Payrolltax 5 5

�7� ��8



�007

$’000

�006

$’000

6. PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION

TheJudicialCommissionofNewSouthWalescomprisesonlyoneprogramwhichisProgramNumber�0JudicialCommissionofNewSouthWales.

Objectives:Tomonitorsentencingconsistency,providejudicialeducationandtraining,andexaminecomplaintsagainstjudicialofficers.

7. CURRENT ASSETS — CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSCashatbankandonhand �,��9 680

�,��9 680

ForthepurposeoftheCashFlowStatement,cashandcashequivalentsincludecashatbankandcashonhand.

CashandcashequivalentassetsrecognisedintheBalanceSheetarereconciledattheendofthefinancialyeartotheCashFlowStatementasfollows:

Cashandcashequivalents(perBalanceSheet) �,��9 680

Closingcashandcashequivalents(perCashFlowStatement) �,��9 680

8. CURRENT ASSETS — RECEIVABLESSaleofgoodsandservices 90 3�9

Otherreceivables 3� �

Interestreceivable �8 �0

Prepayments 73 47

�� 387



�007

$’000

�006

$’000

9. NON-CURRENT ASSETS — PLANT AND EQUIPMENTGrosscarryingamount �,463 �,386

Less:Accumulateddepreciationandimpairment �,�94 �,�07

Netcarryingamount—atfairvalue �69 �79

Managementconsidersthewrittendownvaluetoapproximatefairvalueasat30June�007

Reconciliation

Reconciliationsofthecarryingamountsofplantandequipmentatthebeginningandendofthecurrentandpreviousfinancialyeararesetoutbelow

Netcarryingamountatstartofyear �79 �0�

Additions 78 �50

Disposals – –

Depreciation 88 7�

Netcarryingamountatendofyear �69 �79

10. INTANGIBLE ASSETSSoftware

Cost(grosscarryingamount) 96 85

Less:Accumulatedamortisationandimpairment 86 84

Netcarryingamount—atfairvalue �0 �

Reconciliation

Reconciliationsofthecarryingamountsofintangibleassetsatthebeginningandendofthecurrentandpreviousfinancialyeararesetoutbelow.

Netcarryingamountatstartofyear � 7

Additions �� –

Disposals – –

Amortisation � 6

Netcarryingamountatendofyear �0 �

11. CURRENT LIABILITIES — PAYABLES

Sundrycreditors 4� 34

Accruedsalaries,wagesandon-costs 6� ��5

Other(includingGSTpayable) 7 �3

�� 7�



�007

$’000

�006

$’000

12. CURRENT/NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES — PROVISIONSEmployee benefits and related on-costs

Current

Recreationleave �43 �49

On-costs �0� 9�

344 34�

Non-Current

On-costs 5 5

5 5

Aggregate employee benefits and related on-costs

Provisions—current 344 34�

Provisions—non-current 5 5

Accruedsalaries,wagesandon-costs(referNote��) 6� ��5

4�� 46�

13. CHANGES IN EQUITYAccumulated Funds

Balanceatthebeginningofthefinancialyear 8�9 80

Surplus/(Deficit)fortheyear 44� 749

Balanceattheendofthefinancialyear �,�70 8�9

14. COMMITMENTS FOR EXPENDITUREOperating lease commitments

Futurenon-cancellableoperatingleaserentalsnotprovidedforandpayable:

Notlaterthanoneyear 445 448

Laterthanoneyearandnotlaterthanfiveyears 996 �,79�

Laterthanfiveyears – –

Total(includingGST) �,44� �,�40

Operatingleasecommitments,whichrelatetorentandmotorvehicles,arenotrecognisedinthefinancialreportasliabilities.Thetotalcommitmentsforexpenditureasat30June�007includesinputtaxcreditsof$�3�,000($�06,000in�005–�006)whicharerecoverablefromtheAustralianTaxOffice.



�007

$’000

�006

$’000

15. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENT ASSETSTheCommissionhasnocontingentliabilitiesorcontingentassetsasat30June�007.

16. BUDGET REVIEWNet Cost of Services

Actualnetcostofserviceswasbelowbudgetby$388,000asaresultofrevenuebeingoverbudgetby$548,000andexpensesbeingoverbudgetby$�59,000.Theincreaseinrevenuewasaresultofsalesofservicestoothergovernmentorganisations.Itisnotanticipatedthatsuchanincreaseinrevenuewilloccurinthefuture.Theincreaseinexpenseswasmainlyduetotheexpenditureof$�04,000ontheConductDivision;thisamountwasreimbursedbyTreasury.

Assets and Liabilities

TheincreaseinNetAssetswastheresultofanincreaseincashheldatthebank,offsetbyareductioninreceivablesandlowerthanexpectedcapitalexpenditure.

Cash Flows

Netcashflowsfromoperatingactivitiesincreasedagainstbudgetmainlyduetoanincreaseinrevenuereceivedfromthesaleofservices.

17. RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO NET COST OF SERVICESNetcashflowsfromoperatingactivities 638 6�8

CashflowsfromGovernment (4,7��) (4,769)

AcceptancebytheCrownEntityofemployeebenefitsandotherliabilities (5�) (�53)

Depreciationandamortisation (90) (78)

Decrease/(increase)inprovisions (3) (�6)

Increase/(decrease)inprepaymentsandotherassets (�65) �78

Decrease/(increase)inpayables 6� (53)

Net cost of services (4,3��) (4,�73)



18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

TheCommission’sprincipalfinancialinstrumentsareoutlinedbelow.Thesefinancialinstrumentsarisedirectly

fromtheCommission’soperations.TheCommissiondoesnotenterintoortradefinancialinstrumentsfor

speculativepurposes.TheCommissiondoesnotusefinancialderivatives.

Cash

CashcomprisescashonhandandbankbalanceswithintheNSWTreasuryBankingSystem.Interestisearned

ondailybankbalancesatthemonthlyaverageNSWTreasuryCorporation(TCorp)��amunofficialcashrate,

adjustedforamanagementfeetoNSWTreasury.Thisratewas5.�5percentat30June�007(4.75percentat

30June�006).

Receivables Alltradedebtorsarerecognisedasamountsreceivableatbalancedate.

Collectabilityoftradedebtorsisreviewedonanongoingbasis.Debtswhichareknowntobeuncollectiblearewrittenoff.Anallowanceforimpairmentisraisedwhenthereisobjectiveevidencethattheentitywillnotbeabletocollectallamountsdue.Thecreditriskisthecarryingamount(netofanyallowanceforimpairment).Nointerestisearnedontradedebtors.Thecarryingamountapproximatesfairvalue.

Bank Overdraft TheCommissiondoesnothaveanybankoverdraftfacility.

Sundry Creditors and Accruals

Theliabilitiesarerecognisedforamountsduetobepaidinthefutureforgoodsorservicesreceived,whetherornotinvoiced.Amountsowingtosuppliers(whichareunsecured)aresettledinaccordancewiththepolicysetoutinTreasurer’sDirection��9.0�.Iftradetermsarenotspecified,paymentismadenolaterthantheendofthemonthfollowingthemonthinwhichaninvoiceorastatementisreceived.Treasurer’sDirection��9.0�allowstheMinistertoawardinterestforlatepayment.

Fair Value Thefairvalueoffinancialinstrumentsapproximatestheircarryingvalue.



19. JOINT PROGRAM WITH AIJA

Duringthereportingperiod,theCommissioninconjunctionwiththeAustralianInstituteofJudicialAdministrationcontinuedtooperatejointbankaccountswithinthegovernment’sfinancialframework.Treasuryauthorisedthisarrangementandtheactivityofthisjointaccountissummarisedbelow.

�007

$’000

�006

$’000

Account 1

Opening Balance 1 July 0 �7

Income

Interestreceived – –

Total Income – –

Expenses

Employeerelated – –

Fees—conference – –

Feesforservices – �7

Total Expenses – �7

Closing Balance 30 June – –

Account 2

Opening Balance 1 July �5 �5

Income

Interestreceived – �

Total Income – �

Expenses

Employeerelated – –

Fees—conference – –

Feesforservices � �

Total Expenses � �

Closing Balance 30 June �4 �5

Account�wasclosedon�4December�005.ThebalanceoffundsinAccount�willbeappliedtoanAboriginalCulturalAwarenessProgram.

End of audited Financial Statements



List of Appendices

Appendix1—Complaintsagainstjudicialofficers:Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Appendix2—ConductDivision:Guidelinesforexaminationofcomplaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Appendix3—Continuingjudicialeducationpolicy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Appendix4—Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Appendix5—Conferencetopics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Appendix6—Judicialeducationseminarsandworkshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Appendix7—ArticlespublishedbytheCommission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Appendix8—Publicationslist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Appendix9—Assistancetootherjurisdictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Appendix10—Workingwithotherorganisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Appendix11—VisitorstotheCommission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Appendix12—Overseasvisits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Appendix13—Exchangeofinformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Appendix14—PapersgivenbyCommissionofficers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Appendix15—FreedomofInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Appendix16—Othercompliancematters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84


Appendix 1 — Complaints against judicial officers: Guidelines

1. OverviewTheobjectiveoftheCommission’scomplaintfunctionistoensurethatcomplaintsabouttheabilityandbehaviourofjudicialofficersareinvestigatedinatimelyandeffectivemannerinorderto:a) enhancepublicconfidenceinthejudiciary

ofNewSouthWales;andb) promotegoodpracticesandhigh

standardsofjudicialperformance.

TheJudicial Officers Act1986providesameansforpeopletocomplainabouttheconductofajudicialofficerandtohavethosecomplaintsexaminedbyanindependentbody.AnimportantroleoftheCommissionisnotonlytoreceiveandexaminecomplaintsmadeagainstjudicialofficers,buttodeterminewhichcomplaintsrequirefurtheraction.

TheseguidelinesaredesignedtoassistpeopletounderstandtheCommission’scomplaintfunction,includingtheprinciplesandproceduresadoptedbytheJudicialCommission.ThedetailedprovisionsofthecomplaintfunctionaretobefoundinPart6ofthelegislation.

2. Who is a judicial officer?

2.1 A“judicialofficer”undertheJudicial Officers Actmeansa:• judgeorassociatejudgeoftheSupreme

Court• member(includingajudicialmember)of

theIndustrialRelationsCommission• judgeoftheLandandEnvironmentCourt• judgeoftheDistrictCourt• magistrate,or• thepresidentoftheAdministrative

DecisionsTribunal.

2.2 Thedefinitionof“judicialofficer”includesactingappointmentstoajudicialofficebutdoesnotincludearbitrators,registrars,chamberregistrars,assessors,membersoftribunalsorlegalrepresentatives.

2.3 TheCommissionhasnopowertoexaminecomplaintsagainstfederaljudicialofficersorapersonwhoisnolongerajudicialofficer.

3. Making a complaint

3.1 Who can make a complaint?AcomplaintmaybemadetotheCommissionbyanypersonormaybereferredtotheCommissionbytheAttorneyGeneral.

3.2 Legislative requirementsTheJudicial Officers Act requiresthatacomplaintisinwritingandthatitidentifiesthecomplainantandthejudicialofficerconcerned.TheJudicial Officers RegulationrequiresthatparticularsofacomplaintareverifiedbystatutorydeclarationandthatthecomplaintislodgedwiththeChiefExecutivetotheCommission.

3.3 Assistance to complainantsIfapersoncannotwrite,heorshemaycontacttheCommissionandassistancewillbeprovidedtoputthecomplaintinwriting.IfinterpretingortranslationassistancefromanotherlanguagetoEnglishisrequired,theCommissionwillmakearrangements.

3.4 Advice to the publicTheCommissionprovidesfurtheradvicetothepublicaboutthecomplaintsprocessthrough:

• itswebsitewhichprovidesaneasytounderstandguidetotheCommission’scomplaintsprocess,detailedinformationaboutpossibleoutcomesofcomplaints,andacomplaintsformfordownloading

• aplainEnglishbrochureoutliningthecomplaintsprocess

• assistancetopotentialcomplainantswithtranslationandinterpretingservices

• respondingtotelephoneandface-to-faceenquiries,and

• givingtalksonthecomplaintsprocesstointerestedgroups.

3.5 Acknowledge receipt of complaintsAllcomplaintssubmittedtotheCommissioninproperformwillbeacknowledgedinwritingwithinoneweekofreceipt.

4. Complaints not within the Commission’s jurisdiction

4.1 TheCommissiondoesnotreviewacaseforjudicialerror,mistake,orotherlegalground.Reviewsofthosemattersarethefunctionofappellatecourts.


4.2 AllegationsofcorruptionagainstajudicialofficerarerequiredtobereferredbytheJudicialCommissiontotheIndependentCommissionAgainstCorruptionforinvestigationbythatbody.

5. Investigating a complaint

5.1 Receipt of a complaintOnreceivingacomplaint,theCommissionwillconductapreliminaryexaminationintothematter.Ineverycase,thejudicialofficerisadvisedofthefactthatacomplainthasbeenmadeandprovidedwithacopyofthecomplaintdocumentation.

5.2 Preliminary examinationThepreliminaryexaminationofallcomplaintsmustbeundertakenbyCommissionMembersataproperlyconstitutedmeetingoftheCommission.ThequorumforameetingissevenMembers,ofwhomatleastonemustbeanAppointedMember.1TheCommissioncannotdelegatethepreliminaryexaminationofacomplaintexcepttoacommittee,whichmustconsistentirelyofMembersandincludeatleastoneAppointedMember.

Theinitialinvestigationwillofteninvolveanexaminationoftranscripts,soundrecordings,judgments,courtfilesandotherrelevantmaterial.Itmayalsoinvolvetakingstatementsfromrelevantpersons.Ifnecessary,aresponsetothecomplaintissoughtfromthejudicialofficer.

5.3 ConfidentialityThepreliminaryexaminationofacomplaintbytheCommissionwillbeconducted,asfaraspracticable,onaconfidentialbasis.ThelegislativerequirementofconfidentialityprotectsthejudiciaryfromunjustcriticismandprotectsthosewhofurnishinformationtotheCommissioninthecourseofitsexaminationofacomplaint.

TheproceedingsoftheCommissionandallinformationandmaterials,writtenororal,obtainedbytheCommissioninthecourseofitspreliminaryexaminationareconfidential.

5.4 Time standards for finalisation of investigationsTheCommissionaimstofinalisetheinvestigationof90%ofcomplaintswithinsixmonthsofreceiptand100%within12monthsofreceipt.

6. Complaints against a judicial member of the CommissionAjudicialmemberoftheCommissionwillnotparticipateinanydiscussionsordecisionsinvolvingcomplaintsagainsthimorher.

7. Action following preliminary examinationFollowingitspreliminaryexamination,theCommissionmusttakeoneofthefollowingactions:• summarilydismissthecomplaint• referthecomplainttotherelevantheadof

jurisdiction,or• referthecomplainttotheConduct

Division.

TheCommissionwillactinaccordancewiththeprinciplesofnaturaljusticeinconductingitsexaminationofacomplaint.BeforereferringamattertotheheadofjurisdictionortheConductDivision,theCommissionprovidesthejudicialofficerwithanopportunitytorespondtothecomplaintandtopresentadditionalinformationthatmayassisttheCommissioninitsinvestigationintothematter.

8. Summary dismissal

8.1 Acomplaintmustbesummarilydismissedifoneormoreofthegroundsundersection20(1)oftheActexist,whetherornotitappearstobesubstantiated.Thesegroundsare:• thecomplaintisonethattheCommission

isrequirednottodealwith• thecomplaintisfrivolous,vexatiousornot

ingoodfaith• thesubjectmatterofthecomplaintis

trivial• themattercomplainedaboutoccurred

attooremoteatimetojustifyfurtherconsideration

• thecomplaintisaboutajudicialdecision,orotherjudicialfunction,thatisorwassubjecttoarightofappealorrighttoapplyforjudicialreview

• thepersonwhoisthesubjectofthecomplaintisnolongerajudicialofficer,or

• inallthecircumstancesfurtherconsiderationofthecomplaintisunnecessaryorunjustifiable.

8.2 WhereacomplaintissummarilydismissedtheCommissionwill,assoonaspracticableafteritsdeterminationismade,informthe

1 . Appointed .Members .are .persons .appointed .by .the .Governor .on .the .nomination .of .the .Minister .and .who, .in .the .opinion .of .the .Minister, .have .high .standing .in .the .community .


complainantinwritingandprovidethereasonsfordismissingthecomplaint.Thiswillincludeareferencetotherelevantprovisionsofthelegislationthathavebeenappliedinthehandlinganddeterminationofthecomplaint.ThejudicialofficerwillalsobeadvisedinwritingoftheCommission’sdetermination.

8.3 ManyofthecomplaintsthataredismissedbytheCommission,becausetheydisclosenomisconduct,arenonethelesshelpfulintheimprovementofthejudicialsystem.ThefeedbackfromtheexaminationofcomplaintshasprovidedvaluableinformationforthefurtherdevelopmentofjudicialeducationprogramsconductedbytheCommission.

8.4 TheCommissionmaydeclareapersontobeavexatiouscomplainant,ifthepersonhabituallyandpersistently,andmischievouslyorwithoutanyreasonablegrounds,makescomplaints.Thissectionapplieswhetherthecomplaintsareaboutthesameordifferentjudicialofficers.TheCommissionmaydisregardanycomplaintmadebythepersonwhilethedeclarationisinforce.

9. Reference to a head of jurisdiction

9.1 WhereacomplainthasnotbeendismissedfollowingthepreliminaryexaminationbytheCommission,butinitsopinionitdoesnotjustifyreferencetotheConductDivision,theCommissionmayreferthemattertotherelevantheadofjurisdiction.

9.2 TheCommissionwillnotifytheheadofjurisdictioninwritingofitsdecisionandwillformallyreferthematter,includingallrelevantmaterial,forattention.

9.3 InreferringacomplainttotheheadofjurisdictiontheCommissionmayincluderecommendationsastowhatstepsmightbetakentodealwiththecomplaint,suchascounsellingbytheheadofjurisdiction.

9.4 WhereacomplaintisreferredtotherelevantheadofjurisdictiontheCommissionwill,assoonaspracticableafterthedecisionismade,advisethecomplainantandjudicialofficeroftheactiontaken.

10. Reference to the Conduct Division

10.1 WhereacomplainthasnotbeendismissedfollowingthepreliminaryexaminationbytheCommission,andhasnotbeenreferredtotheheadofjurisdiction,itmustbereferredtotheConductDivision.

10.2 ThefunctionofaConductDivisionistoexamineanddealwithaparticularcomplaintthathasbeenreferredtoitbytheCommission.

10.3 TheConductDivisioncomprisesapanelofthreeservingjudicialofficers,ortwoservingjudicialofficersandaretiredjudicialofficer.ThemembershipoftheConductDivisionisusuallydeterminedbytheCommissionatthesametimeasadecisionistakentoreferthecomplaint.TheCommissionwillalsoappointonememberoftheConductDivisionasChairperson.

10.4 WhereacomplaintisreferredtotheConductDivisiontheCommissionwill,assoonaspracticableafterthedecisionismade,advisethecomplainantandthejudicialofficeroftheactiontaken.TheCommissionwillalsoadvisetheAttorneyGeneralofitsdecisionand,ineachcase,requesttheappointmentofalegalpractitionerorpractitionerstoassisttheConductDivisionascounsel.

11. Examination of a complaint by the Conduct Division

11.1 TheConductDivisionmustconductanexaminationofthecomplaintreferredtoit(section23).

11.2 InconductingtheinitialexaminationorinvestigationofacomplaintreferredtoitbytheCommissionthelegislationrequiresthat,asfaraspracticable,thiswilltakeplaceinprivate(section23(3)).

11.3 Meetings of the Conduct DivisionTheinitialexaminationofacomplaintwillinvolvethemembersoftheConductDivisionandmayincludecounselassistinginitsmeetings.Aspartofthisinitialprocessavenueandtimetablefortheinvestigationwillbedetermined.

11.4 Preliminary mattersPreliminarymattersnecessarypriortothecommencementofahearing,including:

• interviewingthecomplainantandotherpotentialwitnesses

• takingstatements• gatheringdocumentsandothermaterial,

and• preparingabriefofevidence,

willbeundertakenbycounselassistingtheDivision.ThiswillbeunderthedirectionoftheDivision.


11.5 Medical or psychological examinationWheretheConductDivisionisoftheopinionthatajudicialofficeraboutwhomacomplainthasbeenmademaybephysicallyormentallyunfittoexerciseefficientlythefunctionsofajudicialoffice,itmayrequesttheofficertoundergoamedicalorpsychologicalexamination(section34).

12. Hearings by the Conduct Division

12.1 ThelegislationprovidesthattheConductDivisionmayholdhearingsinrelationtoacomplaintandthatahearingmaybeheldinpublicorinprivate,astheConductDivisionmaydetermine(section24(2)).

12.2 Release of informationTheConductDivisionhaspowertogivedirectionspreventingthepublicdisclosureofevidencegivenatitshearings(section36(1)).

12.3 Royal Commissions Act 1923ThefunctionoftheConductDivisionistoinquirefurtherintothecomplaintaboutthejudicialofficer.IndoingsotheConductDivisionhasthefunctions,protectionsandimmunitiesconferredbytheRoyal Commissions Act 1923oncommissionersappointedunderthatAct.The Royal Commissions ActappliestoanywitnesssummonedbyorappearingbeforetheConductDivision.

13. Reports of the Conduct Division

13.1 Report to Governor and othersIftheDivisionhasformedanopinionthatthemattercouldjustifyparliamentary

considerationoftheremovalofthejudicialofficercomplainedaboutfromoffice,itmustpresenttotheGovernorareportsettingoutitsfindingsoffactandthatopinion.AcopyofthereportmustalsobefurnishedtotheCommission,theAttorneyGeneralandtothecomplainant.ThecopytothecomplainantisprovidedonlyafterithasbeenlaidbeforeeachHouseofParliament.

13.2 Report to the head of jurisdictionIftheDivisionformsanopinionthatthematteriswhollyorpartlysubstantiatedbutdoesnotjustifyparliamentaryconsiderationoftheremovalofthejudicialofficercomplainedaboutfromoffice,itmustsendareporttotherelevantheadofjurisdictionsettingoutitsconclusions.Thereportmayalsoincluderecommendationsastowhatstepsmightbetakentodealwiththecomplaint.AcopyofthisreportisalsoprovidedtothejudicialofficerandtheCommission.

14. Annual ReportTheJudicial Officers Act 1986requiresthatcertaininformation,includingstatisticsandinformationaboutcomplaintsdisposedofduringtheyear,bereportedtoParliament.ThisinformationappearsintheAnnualReportoftheCommission.TheReportisavailableinhardcopyfromtheCommissionorcanbefoundonitswebsite(www.judcom.nsw.gov.au).

Appendix 2 — Conduct Division: Guidelines for examination of complaints

1. IntroductionTheseguidelineshavebeenformulatedbytheJudicialCommissiontoassistaConductDivisionintheexerciseofitsfunctionintheexaminationofcomplaintsagainstjudicialofficers.

TheConductDivisionisnotastandingbodybutisappointedbytheJudicialCommissionwhenaparticularcomplaintorreferenceunderPart6AoftheActisreferredtoitforexamination.

TherelevantprovisionsofthelegislationrelatingtotheConductDivisionarecontained

inDivision3ofPart6andPart6AoftheJudicial Officers Act 1986.Theseinclude:

a) theconstitutionofaConductDivisionb) theexaminationofcomplaintsc) hearingsbytheConductDivisiond) powersoftheConductDivision,ande) reports.

2. Referral of complaints to the Conduct Division

2.1 FollowingthepreliminaryexaminationofacomplaintbytheJudicialCommission,ifthecomplaintisnotsummarilydismissedunderoneormoreofthegroundsundersection20(1)


oftheAct,theCommissionmayeitherreferthecomplainttotherelevantheadofjurisdiction(section21(2))orreferthemattertoaConductDivision.

2.2 ThefunctionofaConductDivisionistoexamineandinvestigateaparticularcomplaintthathasbeenreferredtoitbytheCommission.

2.3 AConductDivisionisconstitutedbyapanelofthreeservingjudicialofficers,ortwoservingjudicialofficersandaretiredjudicialofficer.ThemembershipoftheConductDivisionwillbedeterminedbytheCommission.TheCommissionwillalsoappointonememberoftheConductDivisionasChairperson.

2.4 AformalinstrumentofdelegationappointingaConductDivision(includingtheChairperson)willbeexecutedbythemembersoftheCommission.

2.5 WhereacomplaintisreferredtoaConductDivisiontheCommissionwill,assoonaspracticableafterthatdecisionismade,advisethecomplainantandthejudicialofficeroftheactiontaken.TheCommissionwillalsoadvisetheAttorneyGeneralofitsdecisionand,ineachcase,requesttheappointmentofalegalpractitionerorpractitionerstoassisttheConductDivisionascounsel.

3. Referrals under Part 6A – Suspected impairment of judicial officersTheConductDivisionhasthesamefunctionsinrelationtotheexaminationofamatterreferredtoitunderPart6AoftheActasithasinrelationtotheexaminationofacomplaint(section39F(2)).

4. Examination of complaint by the Conduct Division

4.1 TheConductDivisionmustconductanexaminationofthecomplaintreferredtoit(section23).

4.2 InconductingtheinitialexaminationorinvestigationofacomplaintreferredtoitbytheCommissionthelegislationrequires,thatasfaraspracticable,thiswilltakeplaceinprivate(section23(3)).

4.3 Meetings of the Conduct DivisionTheinitialexaminationofacomplaintwillinvolvethemembersoftheConductDivisionandmayincludecounselassistinginitsmeetings.Aspartofthisinitialprocessavenueandtimetablefortheinvestigationwillbedetermined.

4.4 MinutesThelegislationrequiresthattheConductDivisionwillkeepfullandaccurateminutesoftheproceedingsofeachmeetingoftheDivision(clause5,Schedule3,Judicial Officers Act).

4.5 Preliminary mattersPreliminarymattersnecessarypriortothecommencementofahearing,including:

• interviewingthecomplainantandotherpotentialwitnesses

• takingstatements• gatheringdocumentsandothermaterial,

and• preparingabriefofevidence.

willbeundertakenbycounselassistingtheDivision.ThiswillbeunderthedirectionoftheDivision.

4.6 Medical or psychological examinationWheretheConductDivisionisoftheopinionthatajudicialofficeraboutwhomacomplainthasbeenmademaybephysicallyormentallyunfittoexerciseefficientlythefunctionsofajudicialoffice,itmayrequesttheofficertoundergoamedicalorpsychologicalexamination(section34).

5. Hearings by the Conduct DivisionThelegislationprovidesthattheConductDivisionmayholdhearingsinrelationtoacomplaintandthatahearingmaybeheldinpublicorinprivate,astheConductDivisionmaydetermine(section24(2)).

5.1 Public or Private HearingsIftheConductDivisiondecidestoconducthearingsintoacomplaint,ithastoconsiderwhetherthehearingsshouldbeheldinpublicorprivateorboth.

Inexercisingitsdiscretioninrelationtohearingsandastowhetherhearingsshouldbeheldinpublicorinprivateorpartlyinpublicandpartlyinprivate,themaincriteriatheDivisionshouldconsiderinclude:

a) isitinthepublicinteresttoholdthehearingorpartofthehearinginpublicorinprivate?

b) doesthetypeofallegationunderconsideration(egability,behaviour,delay,impairment)requireconfidentialtreatment?

c) isitdesirable,becauseoftheconfidentialnatureofanyevidenceormatter,toholdahearingorpartofahearinginprivate?

d) isthereaneedtoprotectapersonwhoprovidesinformationtotheConductDivisionaspartofitsinvestigation?

e) wouldpublicconfidenceintheauthorityofthejudiciarybeunderminedbyapublicorprivatehearing?

f) isitnecessarytocloseahearingtoprotectthereputationofajudicialofficerfromuntestedorunverifiedevidence?


5.2 Persons who may be present at private hearingsIfahearingorpartofahearingistotakeplaceinprivate,theConductDivisionmaydeterminethepersonswhomaybepresent.Asageneralguidethesemayinclude:

a) thejudicialofficercomplainedaboutb) thelegalrepresentativesofthejudicial

officerc) counselassistingtheConductDivisiond) supportstaffassistingtheConduct

Divisione) anypersonreferredtoinsection24(6)(b)

andtheirlegalrepresentatives,andf) witnessesincludingexpertwitnesses.

5.3 Release of InformationTheConductDivisionhaspowertogivedirectionspreventingthepublicdisclosureofevidencegivenatitshearings(section36(1)).

5.4 Royal Commissions Act 1923ThefunctionoftheConductDivisionistoinquirefurtherintothecomplaintaboutthejudicialofficer.IndoingsotheConductDivisionhasthefunctions,protectionsandimmunitiesconferredbytheRoyal Commissions Act 1923oncommissionersappointedunderthatAct.TheRoyal Commissions ActappliestoanywitnesssummonedbyorappearingbeforetheConductDivision.

5.5 Record of ProceedingsAtranscriptofproceedingsshouldbemadeandkeptwhenevertheConductDivisionmeetsasabodytoreceiveevidence,heartestimony,orheartheargumentsofcounselregardingmattersbeforetheDivision.

6. Legal representation before the Conduct Division

6.1 TheAttorneyGeneralwillappointalegalpractitionerorpractitionerstoassisttheConductDivisionandtopresentthecaseagainstthejudicialofficer.Thisassistanceisprovidedbyseniorandjuniorcounselandasolicitor(usuallytheCrownSolicitor).

6.2 Thejudicialofficerbeingcomplainedaboutwillinmostinstancesappearatthehearingandberepresentedbyseniorandjuniorcounselandasolicitor.FundingofthelegalrepresentationissubjecttoapprovalbytheAttorneyGeneral.

6.3 TheConductDivisionmayalsogivepermissionforotherpeopleincludingacomplainanttoappearatthehearingandhavelegalrepresentation.

6.4 TherighttolegalrepresentationforpersonsappearingatahearingoftheConductDivisionisamatterforthediscretionoftheDivision.Consistentwithproceduralfairness,theCommissionisoftheview,thatasageneralguideandwhereveritispracticabletodoso,theConductDivisionshouldconsenttolegalrepresentationforpersonsappearingatitshearings.

6.5 Inexercisingitsdiscretiontoconsenttolegalrepresentation,themaincriteriatheDivisionshouldconsiderinclude:a) isthewitnessincapableofrepresenting

himorherself?b) isthematterlikelytoaffectanindividual’s

rightsorinterest?c) wouldthegrantingofrepresentation

enhancethefairnessoftheproceedings?d) wouldtheproceedingsbeconducted

withmoreefficiencyandexpeditionifrepresentationwereorwerenotgranted?

e) wouldthecostoftheInquirybereducedifrepresentationweregranted?

7. Reports

7.1 Report to Governor and othersIftheDivisionhasformedanopinionthatthemattercouldjustifyparliamentaryconsiderationoftheremovalofthejudicialofficercomplainedaboutfromoffice,itmustpresenttotheGovernorareportsettingoutitsfindingsoffactandthatopinion.AcopyofthereportmustalsobefurnishedtotheCommission,theAttorneyGeneralandtothecomplainant.ThecopytothecomplainantisprovidedonlyafterithasbeenlaidbeforeeachHouseofParliament.

7.2 Report to the Head of JurisdictionIftheDivisionformsanopinionthatthematteriswhollyorpartlysubstantiatedbutdoesnotjustifyparliamentaryconsiderationoftheremovalofthejudicialofficercomplainedaboutfromoffice,itmustsendareporttotherelevantheadofjurisdictionsettingoutitsconclusions.Thereportmayalsoincluderecommendationsastowhatstepsmightbetakentodealwiththecomplaint.AcopyofthisreportisalsoprovidedtothejudicialofficerandtheCommission.


Appendix 3 — Continuing judicial education policy

Guiding principlesPursuanttos9(1)oftheJudicial Officers Act1986theJudicialCommissionmayorganiseandsuperviseanappropriateschemefortheinduction,orientationandcontinuingeducationandtrainingofjudicialofficers.Thepurposeofthisschemeistoassistjudicialofficersintheperformanceoftheirdutiesby:

• enhancingtheirprofessionalexpertise• facilitatingdevelopmentoftheirjudicial

knowledgeandskills• promotingthepursuitofjuristicexcellence.

ServicesTheCommissionissensitivetotheneedtoprovidearangeofeducationservicestomeetthedifferingneedsofeachcourtandindividualjudicialofficers.

Theschemeofcontinuingjudicialeducationshouldbestructuredtobeofbenefittoalljudicialofficersineachjurisdictionandtoaddressthedifferingneedsofjudicialofficersthroughoutthedurationoftheircareers.

Specifically,theeducationprogramshouldapplytheCommission’sresourcesinthemosteffectivedeliveryofservicesdefinedbycontent(law,procedure,managementandadministration,andjudicialskills)andlevelofapplication(induction,update,experienceexchange,specialisationandrefresher).

Theseservicesmayinclude:

1. inductingnewappointeeswithcomprehensivetrainingandorientation

2. updatingalljudicialofficersonimportantrecentchangesinlaw,procedureandpractice

3. producingbenchbooksforeachcourt,withaprocessforregularupdating

4. publishingtheJudicial Officers’ Bulletinonaregularbasistoinformjudicialofficersofcurrentlawandtopromotetheconsiderationofimportantjudicialissues

5. promotingthedevelopmentofanimprovedschemeforindexingandaccessingimportantjudgments

6. facilitatingcontinuingjudicialeducationthroughtheexchangeofexperienceanddiscussionoftopicalissues,assistingmeetingsanddiscussiongroups,andpublishingarticlesandotherpapers

7. providingrefresherservicestomeettheneedsofjudicialofficers

8. providingspecialeducationservicestomeettheneedsofisolatedjudicialofficersbothinthesuburbsandcountry,andoncircuit/rotation;specificallyrelatingtoimprovedaccesstolegalinformation

9. promotingthesupplyofcomputersupportfacilitiesandsupplyingappropriatetraining

10. providinganextendedrangeofeducationservicesfortheassistanceofjudicialofficers,includinginterdisciplinaryandextra-legalcourses,whereappropriate.Thedeliveryofthisschemeshouldintegrateconference,publicationandcomputersupportservices,inordertofacilitatetheaccesstoandtheuseofeducationservicesinaneffectiveandconvenientmannerforjudicialofficers

11. promotingandconductingtheresearchanddevelopmentofeducationalpracticestoenhancetheeffectivenessofcontinuingjudicialeducation.

Roles and responsibilitiesTheJudicialCommissionhasultimateresponsibilitytodefineitspolicyandstrategiesinrelationtotheprovisionoftheabove-mentionedservicesandtodeterminethedirectionandthepriorityofallactivityundertakeninthenameoftheCommission.

TheStandingAdvisoryCommitteeonJudicialEducation(whichcomprisesthechairpersonsoftheEducationCommitteesofeachoftheState’scourts,ortheirrepresentatives)hasresponsibilitytoadvisetheCommissiononmattersofcontinuingjudicialeducation,toimplementCommissionpolicyandstrategyand,whereappropriateandasrequested,toco-ordinatetheactivitiesoftherespectiveEducationCommitteesofeachcourt.

TheEducationCommitteesofeachcourt,subjecttotheheadofjurisdiction,shallhaveresponsibilitytodevelopandmanagetheprogramofeducationalactivitiesconductedbyeachcourt.

ThestaffoftheCommissionhavetheresponsibilitytoadviseandassisteachoftheabovebodies,andtoactontheirinstructiontoadministerandimplementthecontinuingjudicialeducationprogram.

EvaluationTheCommissionwillevaluatetheeffectivenessofitsprogramofcontinuingjudicialeducationactivitiesinorderto:

• ensurethatitprovidesusefulassistanceandbenefitstojudicialofficersintheperformanceofjudicialduties

• providefeedbacktopresenterstoensuretheirsessionsmeettheneedsofjudicialofficers.


Appendix 4 — Committees

Education CommitteesEducationCommitteeshavebeenestablishedineachcourtandmeetonaregularbasistodiscuss:

• contentanddesignofjudicialeducationprograms

• evaluationresultsofjudicialeducationprograms• recommendationsforchange.

TheStandingAdvisoryCommitteeonJudicialEducationcomprisesthechairpersonsoftheEducationCommitteesofeachoftheState’scourtsortheirrepresentatives.ItadvisestheCommissiononmattersofcontinuingjudicialeducation,implementsCommissionpolicyandstrategy,and,whereappropriate,co-ordinatestheactivitiesoftheEducationCommittees.

TheEducationDirector,MsRuthWindeler,convenesEducationCommitteeandStandingAdvisoryCommitteemeetings,andprovidesprofessionalinputtothecommittees.

Standing Advisory Committee on Judicial Education• TheHonourableJusticeIppAO(Chair)• TheHonourableJusticeSchmidt• TheHonourableMrJusticeLloyd• HisHonourJudgePhegan• HerHonourDeputyChiefMagistrateSyme

(untilOctober2006)• HisHonourDeputyChiefMagistrateCloran

(fromOctober2006)• MsRWindeler

Supreme Court Education Committee • TheHonourableJusticeSantowAO• TheHonourableJusticeIppAO(Chair)• TheHonourableJusticeMcCollAO• TheHonourableJusticeBasten• TheHonourableJusticeBell• TheHonourableJusticeGzell• TheHonourableJusticeNicholas• TheHonourableJusticeHislop• TheHonourableJusticeWhite• TheHonourableJusticeJohnson• MsMGreenwood,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,

SupremeCourt• MsRWindeler

Industrial Relations Commission Education Committee • TheHonourableJusticeWright• TheHonourableJusticeWalton• TheHonourableJusticeSchmidt(Chair)• CommissionerPConnor• CommissionerJMcLeay• MrMGrimson,IndustrialRegistrar• MsRWindeler

Land and Environment Court Education Committee • TheHonourableMrJusticeLloyd(Chair)• CommissionerTBly• MsSDixon,Registrar• MsRWindeler

District Court Education Committee • HisHonourJudgeKnight(Chair)• HisHonourJudgeGeraghty• HerHonourJudgeSidis• HerHonourJudgeMurrellSC• HisHonourJudgePhegan• HisHonourJudgePuckeridgeQC• HisHonourJudgeGoldring(untilMay2007)• HisHonourJudgeWilliams• HisHonourJudgeNorrishQC(untilApril2007)• HerHonourJudgeGibson• HisHonourJudgeNicholsonSC• HisHonourJudgeKnoxSC(fromJune2007)• MrCSmith,Director,CourtServices• MsRWindeler

Local Courts Education Committee • HerHonourDeputyChiefMagistrateSyme

(Chair)(untilOctober2006)• HisHonourDeputyChiefMagistrateCloran

(Chair)(fromOctober2006)• HisHonourSeniorChildren’sMagistrateMitchell

(untilDecember2006)• HisHonourMagistrateMacPherson• HisHonourMagistrateDillon(fromJanuary2007)• HerHonourMagistrateHuber(fromJanuary2007)• HerHonourMagistrateSchurr(fromJanuary2007)• HisHonourMagistrateHeilpern• HisHonourMagistrateProwse(untilDecember

2006)• HerHonourMagistrateHannam• HisHonourMagistrateZdenkowski• HisHonourMagistrateLerve• MsRWindeler

Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Program Steering Committee• TheHonourableJusticeBell(untilMay2007)• HisHonourJudgeNorrishQC(Chair)(fromMay

2007)• HisHonourJudgeDive• FederalMagistrateScarlettRFD(untilJune2007)• HisHonourMagistrateDick• MrTChenery(fromJune2007)• MrSJarrett• MsJSelfe• MrESchmattPSM• MsRWindeler


Bench Book CommitteesTheday-to-dayworkofrevisingthecontentofbenchbooksisdelegatedtoindividualBenchBookCommittees,actingonbehalfoftheCommission.

Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book Committee• TheHonourableJusticeHowie(Chair)• TheHonourableJusticeJohnson• HisHonourJudgeBermanSC• HisHonourJudgeHulmeSC• MrHDonnelly(Convenor)

Local Courts Bench Book Committee• HerHonourDeputyChiefMagistrateSyme

(untilNovember2006)• HisHonourMagistrateBarnett(untilNovember

2006)• HisHonourDeputyChiefMagistrateCloran

(fromDecember2006)• HisHonourMagistrateHeilpern(fromDecember

2006)• HerHonourMagistrateFreund(fromDecember

2006)

Civil Trial Courts Bench Book Committee• TheHonourableJamesWoodAOQC(Chair)• TheHonourableJohnDunfordQC• TheHonourableMichaelCampbellQC(from

May2006)• TheHonourableHalSperlingQC(fromMay2006)• TheHonourableJusticeHoebenAMRFD• TheHonourableJusticeHislop• HerHonourJudgeSidis• HisHonourJudgeReinSC(fromMay2006)• HisHonourMagistrateLulham• HisHonourMagistrateDillon• MrESchmattPSM• MsRWindeler

Equality before the Law Bench Book Committee• TheHonourableJusticeBeazleyAO(Chair)• TheHonourableJusticeBasten• TheHonourableJusticeRothman• HerHonourJudgeAinslie-Wallace• HisHonourJudgeNorrishQC• HerHonourDeputyChiefMagistrateSyme• HerHonourMagistrateOrchiston• DrMDodsonAM• DrJCashmore• MrESchmattPSM• MsRWindeler

Appendix 5 — Conference topics

Supreme Court Annual Conference, August 2006• DevelopmentsincompanylawintheUnited

Kingdom• Aspectsofestoppel• Developmentsincriminaltrials• TheproposedreplacementoftheFamily

Provision Act1982• Divisionofassetsbetweendefactopartners• Policyissuesforthemedia• Theimpactofthecivilliabilityreformsonthe

fundamentalprinciplesandpoliciesofthecommonlawofnegligence

• Constitutionalimplicationsofterrorismlegislation

• Childrengivingevidence• Terrorismoverview

Industrial Relations Commission Annual Conference, October 2006• What’sgoingonovertheTasman?Similarities

anddifferences• Physio—Theoccupationalhazardsofsitting• Federalupdate• Comparisonofconciliationandmediation

• Fairworkplaces—AnachievableidealinAustralia?

• Openforum• Expertevidence• TheroleoftheNewSouthWalessystem

followingWorkchoices• Skillssession:Infosourceanddatabases

Land and Environment Court Annual Conference, May 2007• Practiceandprocedureupdate• Theroleoflawinenvironmentaldecision-making• FieldtriptoMinnamurraRainforestCentre• Trendsinalternativedisputeresolution• Waterrecycling• Expertevidence

District Court Annual Conference, April 2007• CourtofAppealreview• Psychologyofoffendersandvictims• Procedureinprescribedsexualoffencecases• Criminallawupdate• Unreasonablecross-examination• Directionsinsexualassaultcases


• Perspectivesonthetreatmentofsexualassaultcomplainants—PanelSession

• Judicialconduct• AppealsfromtheLocalCourt• Evidenceinprescribedsexualoffencecases• Civillawupdate• Sentencingoptionsinprescribedsexualassault

cases

Local Courts Annual Conference, August 2006• Whoistellingthetruth?Psychology,common

senseandthelaw• Criminallawupdate• Civillawupdate• Superannuation• DepartmentofCommunityServicesandthe

court• AssistanceforlitigantsI• UseandabuseofDNAevidence• Forensicdocumentexamination• Auser’sguidetoLEPRA• Mentalhealthformagistrates• Mentalhealthformagistrates—Thejudicial

assistanceprogram• AssistanceforlitigantsII:Thepositivelifestyle

program• Doescourtmandatedoutpatienttreatmentof

mentallyilloffendersreducecriminalrecidivism?• Mentalillness,psychiatrists,psychologistsand

thecourts:Whatdiagnosisisthat?

Children’s Magistrates’ Conference, November 2006• TheparolejurisdictionoftheChildren’sCourt• Absentwitnesses,defendantsandprosecutors• Educatingtoenddomesticviolence

Local Courts Southern and Northern Regional Conferences, March 2007• Courtsecurity• Absentwitnesses,defendantsandprosecutors• On-lineresearch• Selfdefence• Ruralpropertycrime• Civilpracticenotes

• SentencingintheLocalCourt• Educatingtoenddomesticviolence• Driverlicensingtheoryprogram

Magistrates’ Orientation Program, February 2007• Judicialattributes• Judicialattitudes• Ethics:Withoutfearorfavour,affectionorillwill• Judicialpractice• Querulouslitigants• Judicialcommunication• Decision-making/judgments• Extemporejudgmentsworkshop• SentencingexercisesI• Bail• LithgowCorrectionalCentrevisit• Courtcraftinpractice• Meditation/relaxation• Sentencingprinciples• SentencingexercisesII• Childrenaswitnesses• SentencingexercisesIII• Everythingyouwantedtoknowbutwereafraid

toask

National Judicial Orientation Program, October 2006 & May 2007 (joint program with AIJA and NJCA) • Familiarisation• Judicialconductinandoutofcourt• Courtcraftpart1:Managingahighlycharged

hearing• Courtcraftpart2:Thetrialfromhell• Interpretersandethnicity• Sentencing• Expertevidenceincivilproceedings• Judgmentwriting• Assessingthecredibilityofwitnesses• Electronicinformationandknowledge

management• Maintainingpsychologicalandphysicalhealth• Litigantsinperson• Contempt

Appendix 6 — Judicial education seminars and workshops

Supreme Court• “Instructingthejuryincomplexcommercial

matters”presentedbyTheHonourableJusticeWhealy,TwilightSeminar,July2006

• “Listeningdevicesdemonstration”presentedbyDetectiveInspectorStephenReynard,SuperintendentColinRoddanandSeniorSergeantMarkHayes,StateTechnical

InvestigationBranch,NSWPolice,TwilightSeminar,August2006

• “Riskallocationincommercialfinancetransactions”presentedbyMrJohnStumbles,MrTedKerrandMrScottFarrellfromMallesonsStephenJaques,andMrDavidCliffordfromAllensArthurRobinson,SupremeandFederalCourtTwilightSeminar,June2007


Land and Environment Court• “Judgmentwritingworkshop”presentedby

ProfessorJamesRaymond,September2006

District Court• “Thecompulsorydrugtreatmentcorrectional

centre”presentedbyHisHonourJudgeDiveandMsAstridBirgden,DirectorCompulsoryDrugTreatmentCorrectionalCentre,TwilightSeminar,August2006

• “Judgmentwritingworkshop”presentedbyProfessorJamesRaymond,August2006

• “Transitionfromjuveniletoadultcriminalcareers”presentedbyDrDonWeatherburn,Director,NewSouthWalesBureauofCrimeStatisticsandResearch,LuncheonSeminar,September2006

• “Theseriousyoungoffendersreviewpanel:Juvenilesincustody”presentedbyMsJennyMason,DirectorGeneral,DepartmentofJuvenileJustice,TwilightSeminar,October2006

• “Themediaandthecourts”presentedbyMrSamNorth,ManagingEditor,SydneyMorningHerald,TwilightSeminar,March2007

• “Posttraumaticstressdisorder”presentedbyProfessorChrisTennant,DepartmentofPsychologicalMedicine,UniversityofSydney,TwilightSeminar,May2007

• “Theimpactofthenewsupersystemonjudges”presentedbyMrDarylDixon,ExecutiveChairman,DixonAdvisoryandSuperannuationServices,BreakfastSeminar,May2007

• “Managingcriminalandcivilcircuits”presentedbyHisHonourJudgeGoldringandHisHonourJudgePuckeridgeQC,BreakfastSeminar,June2007

Local Courts• “Judgmentwritingworkshop”presentedby

ProfessorJamesRaymond,September2006andApril2007

Local Courts Metropolitan Seminar Series II, October-November 2006• “Absentwitnesses,defendantsand

prosecutors”,HisHonourMagistrateMalcolmMacPherson

• “Courtsecurity”,MrGaryByles,SheriffofNewSouthWales

• “Educatingtoenddomesticviolence”,DrDinaMcMillanandMsAmyDavid

Local Courts Metropolitan Seminar Series I, March 2007• “SentencingintheLocalCourt”,HisHonour

MagistrateAllanMoore• “On-lineresearch”,MsSueRamsay,Education

andResourcesLibrarian• “Selfdefence”,HisHonourMagistrateDennis

Burdett• “Civilpracticenotes”,HisHonourDeputyChief

MagistratePaulCloran

Appendix 7 — Articles published by the Commission

• LadyJusticeMArdenDBE,“TheCompaniesAct2006(UK):Anewapproachtodirectors’duties”(2007)8(2)TJR145

• JusticeRPAustin,“DevelopmentsincompanylawintheUnitedKingdom:AcommentaryfromanAustralianperspective”(2007)8(2)TJR165

• DrJCashmore,“Childwitnesses:Thejudicialrole”(2007)8(2)TJR281

• ProfessorRosalindCroucher,“AnoverviewoftheeighthbiennialIAWJconference”(2006)18(6)JOB46

• JudgeRogerDive,“Compulsorydrugtreatmentingaol—anewsentencingissue”(2006)18(7)JOB51

• HughDonnelly,“Delayandthecredibilityofcomplainantsinsexualassaultproceedings”(2007)19(3)JOB17

• HughDonnellyandTrishPoletti,“Guiltyplearatesforoffenderssentencedbeforeandafterthestandardnon-paroleperiodlegislation”(2007)19(4)JOB34

• ChiefJusticeMurrayGleesonAC,“Acorevalue”(2006)18(11)JOB89

• ChiefJusticeMurrayGleesonAC,“Civilorcriminal—Whatisthedifference?”(2006)8(1)TJR1

• AndrewHaeslerSC,“DNAincourt”(2006)8(1)TJR121

• JusticeRodHowie,“Criminallawupdate”(2007)8(2)TJR253

• JusticeRodHowie,“Sentencingupdate”(2006)18(8)JOB63

• MrJusticeDavidLloyd,“Howtodevelopeffectivejudgmentwriting”(2007)19(5)JOB41

• ProfessorRonMcCallumAO,“TheWorkChoicescase:Somereflections”(2007)19(4)JOB29

• JusticePeterMcClellan,“Courtsinthe21stcentury—shouldwedothingsdifferently?”(2006)8(1)TJR23

• JusticePeterMcClellan,“Expertevidence:Acesupyoursleeve?”(2007)8(2)TJR215


• JusticePeterMcClellan,“Whoistellingthetruth?Psychology,commonsenseandthelaw”(2007)19(1)JOB1

• TheHonMMcHughAC,“ConstitutionalImplicationsofTerrorismLegislation”(2007)8(2)TJR145

• ChiefJusticeBeverleyMcLachlinPC,“Judginginadiversesociety”(2007)19(2)JOB9

• DrDinaMcMillanandAmyMDavid,“Thedomesticviolencedynamic”(2006)18(10)JOB81

• JudgeStephenNorrishQC,“Judicialconductincourt”(2006)8(1)TJR39

• JudgeKevinO’ConnorAM,“Judicialconductoutofcourt”(2006)8(1)TJR81

• IanPikeAM,“HistoryofthemagistracyinNewSouthWales”(2006)8(1)TJR101

• JusticeBrianPreston,“Sentencingforenvironmentalcrime”(2006)18(6)JOB41

• ProfessorJamesRaymond,“Fivewaystoimproveyourjudgmentwriting”(2007)19(5)JOB44

• JusticeMonikaSchmidt,“Asuccessfulexperimentinjudicialmediation”(2006)18(9)JOB71

• JudgeMargaretSidis,“JudicialmediationintheDistrictCourt”(2006)18(9)JOB74

• ChiefJusticeJJSpigelmanAC,“AddresstoParoleAuthoritiesConference2006”(2006)8(1)TJR11

• LauraWells,“CrimesandCourtsLegislationAmendmentAct”(2006)18(11)JOB91

• JusticeAWhealy,“Instructingajuryincomplexcommercialtrials:ThepositioninEnglandanditssignificanceinanAustraliancontext”(2007)8(2)TJR233

TJR—The Judicial Review

JOB—Judicial Officers Bulletin

Appendix 8 — Publications list

ManyoftheCommission’spublicationsareavailabletodownloadfromtheCommission’swebsiteatwww.judcom.nsw.gov.au.CommissionpublicationscanbepurchasedthroughtheNSWGovernment’sonlineshopatwww.shop.nsw.gov.au.

Education Monographs1 Fragilebastion:Judicialindependenceinthe

ninetiesandbeyond,19972 Amatterofjudgment:Judicialdecision-making

andjudgmentwriting,20033 Theroleofthejudge,2004

Research monographs1 Theuseofcustodialsentencesandalternatives

tocustodybyNewSouthWalesmagistrates,1990(availableonlyasaphotocopy)

2 Communityserviceorders:ViewsoforganisersinNewSouthWales,1991

3 Communityserviceordersandperiodicdetentionassentencingoptions:AsurveyofjudicialofficersinNewSouthWales,1991

4 SentencingjuvenileoffendersandtheSentencing Act1989(NSW):TheimpactoflegislativeandadministrativechangesintheChildren’sCourt1982–1990,1991

5 AcriticalreviewofperiodicdetentioninNewSouthWales,1992

6 Sentencingdrugoffenders:AnalysisofsentencesimposedinthehighercourtsofNewSouthWales,25September1989–31December1991,1992

7 “Specialcircumstances”undertheSentencing Act1989(NSW),1993

8 Alcoholasasentencingfactor:Asurveyofattitudesofjudicialofficers,1994

9 SentenceIndicationHearingsPilotScheme,199410 SentencedhomicidesinNewSouthWales

1990–1993,199511 Theevidenceofchildren,199512 Judicialviewsaboutpre-sentencereports,199513 TheSentencing Act1989anditseffectonthe

sizeoftheprisonpopulation,199614 Magistrates’attitudestodrink-driving,drug-

drivingandspeeding,199715 Childsexualassault,199716 Sentencingdisparityandthegenderofjuvenile

offenders,199717 Sentencingdisparityandtheethnicityofjuvenile

offenders,199818 Periodicdetentionrevisited,199819 Sentencingdrugoffenders:Analysisofsentences

imposedinthehighercourtsofNewSouthWales,1January1992–31December1997,1999

20 Apprehendedviolenceorders:Asurveyofmagistrates,1999

21 SentencingdangerousdriversinNewSouthWales:ImpactoftheJurisicguidelinesonsentencingpractice,2002

22 CirclesentencinginNewSouthWales:Areviewandevaluation,2003

23 SentencedhomicidesinNewSouthWales1994–2001,2004

24 MERIT—Asurveyofmagistrates,200425 Sentencingoffendersconvictedofchildsexual

assault,200426 Thenexusbetweensentencingandrehabilitation

intheChildren’sCourtofNSW,2005


27 Crownappealsagainstsentence,200528 PartialdefencestomurderinNSW1990-2004,

200629 Full-timeimprisonmentinNewSouthWalesand

otherjurisdictions:Anationalandinternationalcomparison,2007

30 SentencingrobberyoffenderssincetheHenryguidelinejudgment,2007

Sentencing Trends and Issues1 TheChildren’sCourt,March19912 Theimpactoftruthinsentencing:Part1,The

highercourts,March19923 Theimpactoftruthinsentencing:Part2,The

LocalCourts,June19924 SentencingintheCourtofCriminalAppeal,

February19935 CommonoffencesintheLocalCourts,March19946 Commonoffencesinthehighercourts,July19947 Sentencinghomicide:Theeffectoflegislative

changesonthepenaltyformurder,June19948 Frommurdertomanslaughter:Partialdefences

inNewSouthWales,1900to19939 CommonoffencesintheChildren’sCourt,May

199510 Sentencingdrinkdriveroffenders,June199511 Sentencedtotherisingofthecourt,January

199612 Theuseofrecognizances,May199613 SentencingdeceptionoffendersPart1,The

LocalCourts,June199614 SentencingdeceptionoffendersPart2,The

highercourts,October199615 Drivingcausingdeath:Section52Aofthe

Crimes Act1900,May199716 Anoverviewofsentenceandconvictionappeals

intheNewSouthWalesCourtofCriminalAppeal,March1998

17 Kidnapping—Section90ACrimes Act1900(NSW),July1998

18 Commonoffencesinthehighercourts1990–1997,August1998

19 SentencingoffendersintheLocalCourts—EffectsoftheCriminal Procedure (Indictable Offenders) Act1995,February2000

20 SentencingfemaleoffendersinNewSouthWales,May2000

21 Protectivecustodyandhardshipinprison,February2001

22 ConvictionandsentencingappealsintheNSWCourtofCriminalAppeal1996–2000,February2002

23 Sentencingmentallydisorderedoffenders:Thecausallink,September2002

24 Bail:Anexaminationofcontemporaryissues,November2002

25 Sentencingmethodology:Two-tieredorinstinctivesynthesis?,December2002

26 Sentencingtrendsforarmedrobberyandrobberyincompany:TheimpactoftheguidelineinR v Henry,February2003

27 Sentencingdrink-drivingoffendersintheNSWLocalCourt,March2003

28 CommonoffencesintheLocalCourts2002,September2003

29 SuspendedsentencesinNewSouthWales,November2003

30 CommonoffencesandtheuseofimprisonmentintheDistrictandSupremeCourtsin2002,March2004

31 Theuseandlimitationsofsentencingstatistics,December2004

32 Pre-sentencecustodyandotherconstraintsonliberty,May2005

33 Successfulcompletionratesforsupervisedsentencingoptions,June2005

34 Trendsintheuseofs12suspendedsentences,June2005

35 ImpactofthehighrangePCAguidelinejudgmentonsentencingdrinkdriversinNSW,September2005

Journals• JudicialOfficers’Bulletin(Vols1–19)• TheJudicialReview(Vols1–8)

Bench Books• CriminalTrialCourtsBenchBook• DistrictCourtJudges’CivilGuidelines• EqualitybeforetheLawBenchBook• IndustrialRelationsCommissionBenchBook• LandandEnvironmentCourtBenchBook• LocalCourtsBenchBook• SentencingBenchBook

Brochures• Complaintsagainstjudicialofficers• Disabilitiesinformation• Formatforremarksonsentencing• JudicialCommissionofNewSouthWales• JudicialInformationResearchSystem• JudicialInformationResearchSystem:An

invitationtosubscribe• PresentationPointers:Gettingstartedand

gettingthroughyourpresentation• ProBonoSchemesinNSW• TheJudicialReview

DVDs• TheRoleoftheJudge• ConcurrentEvidence:Newmethodswithexperts


Appendix 9 — Assistance to other jurisdictions

TheCommissionhasdevelopedahighlevelofexpertiseinjudicialeducation,sentencingresearch,andbuildingandmaintainingjudicialsupportandcasemanagementsystems.Asaresultotherorganisations,bothnationallyandinternationally,havesoughtourassistanceindevelopingsimilarprogramsandsystems.In2006–07theCommissionprovidedthefollowingassistance.

Judicial education• Asia Pacific Judicial Educators Forum

(APJEF):TheCommissionprovidedAPJEFmemberswithpublicationsandotherjudicialeducationmaterial.TheChiefExecutiveisamemberoftheAPJEF’sExecutiveCommittee.

• Asia Pacific Judicial Reform Forum (APJRF):TheAPJRFaimstoadvancejudicialreformintheAsiaPacificRegion.TheCommissionisamemberoftheAPJRFSecretariat,whichisworkingtodeveloppracticaltoolstoassistmembercountriesimplementjudicialreformprograms.TheAPJRFhasreceivedfundingfromtheUnitedNationsDemocracyFundtodevelopajudicialreformhandbookwhichwilldefinegoodpracticeinanumberofareasofjudicialreform.

• Council of Australasian Tribunals (COAT): TheCommissionprovidedCOATwithassistanceinco-ordinatingtwoworkshopsonjudgmentwritingfor28tribunalmembersinAugust2006.

• Dust Diseases Tribunal of NSW:TheCommissionassistedtheTribunalwithdesigningtheeducationalcontentofitsAnnualConferenceprogram.

• Judicial Conference of Australia:TheCommissionhelpedfundtheproductionofanewpublication,Judge for yourself: A guide to sentencing in Australia,inordertohelpmembersofthepublicgainabetterunderstandingofsentencing.TheChiefExecutivewasalsoamemberofthepublication’sSteeringCommittee.

Judicial support and case management systems• District Court Statistics Collection System:

wecontinuetomaintainandimprovethesentencingstatisticscollectionsystemfortheDowningCentreDistrictCourtcriminaljurisdiction.AlthoughtheDistrictCourtisderivingsignificantbenefitsfromthesystem,theCommissionhasnotgainedthefullbenefitofthesystembecausethesystemisonlyoperationalintheDowningCentreinSydney.

• Drug Court Case Management System:wecontinuetohost,maintainandimprovethesesystemsfortheAdultandYouthDrugCourts.

• Commonwealth Sentencing Database:thisisajointprojectoftheCommission,theNationalJudicialCollegeofAustraliaandtheCommonwealthDirectorofPublicProsecutions.TheCommissionhasnowcompletedthedevelopmentofthedatabaseanditwillbelaunchedinFebruary2008.

• Queensland Sentencing Information Service (QSIS):developedbytheCommissionfortheQueenslandDepartmentofJustice,QSISwaslaunchedinMarch2007bytheQueenslandAttorneyGeneralandtheChiefJusticeofQueenslandwhoremarkedthatQSISwasoneofthemajordevelopmentsinthecriminaljusticesysteminQueenslandinmanydecades.TheCommissionwillcontinuetohostandmaintainQSISin2007–08.

• Fine Enforcement System:wehavecompletedasignificantpartofthedevelopmentofthissystemfortheNSWOfficeofStateRevenueandanticipateitwillbecomeoperationalin2007–08.

Appendix 10 — Working with other organisations

CommissionstaffparticipateinanumberofcommitteesandsteeringgroupsinconnectionwiththeCommission’srole.Detailsoftheirinvolvementsare:

Mr Ernest Schmatt PSM, Chief Executive• AdvisoryCommitteetotheCommonwealth

JudicialEducationInstitute,Halifax,Canada• AsiaPacificJudicialEducatorsForum(Executive

Member),Manila,Philippines• AsiaPacificJudicialReformForumSecretariat

(ManagementGroup)

• AustraliaandNewZealandJudicialEducatorsGroup

• HonoraryAssociateintheGraduateSchoolofGovernment,UniversityofSydney

• NationalJudicialOrientationProgramSteeringCommittee,NationalJudicialCollegeofAustralia

• StandingCommitteeofCriminalJusticeSystemChiefExecutiveOfficers

• SteeringCommitteeoftheSentencingProject,TheJudicialConferenceofAustralia


Ms Ruth Windeler, Education Director• AustraliaandNewZealandJudicialEducators

Group• ChildSexualAssaultJurisdictionPilotGroup• ContinuingLegalEducationAssociationof

AustralasiaExecutiveCommittee• DomesticViolencePerpetrators’PilotAdvisory

Committee• NationalJudicialOrientationProgramSteering

Committee,NationalJudicialCollegeofAustralia

Mr Hugh Donnelly, Director, Research and Sentencing• AdvisoryCommitteetoCriminalJustice

ResearchNetworkCommittee,AttorneyGeneral’sDepartment

• AdvisoryCommitteetoReviewSection32oftheMental Health (Criminal Procedure) Act1990,NewSouthWalesLawReformCommission

• DirectionsinJuryTrials,NewSouthWalesLawReformCommission

• SeniorOfficersCommitteetotheStandingCommitteeofCriminalJusticeChiefExecutiveOfficers,AttorneyGeneral’sDepartment

• SexualAssaultReviewCommittee,OfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions

• TheEllisWorkingParty,CriminalLawReviewDivision,AttorneyGeneral’sDepartment

Mr Murali Sagi, Director, Information Management and Corporate Services • JusticeSectorChiefInformationOfficers’

Committee• NSWGovernmentOpenSourceForum• JusticeSectorInformationExchange

Co-ordinatingCommittee

Ms Ruth Sheard, Manager, Conferences and Communication• AsiaPacificJudicialReformForumSecretariat

(OperationsUnit)

Ms Emma Knight, Senior Research Officer (Legal)/ Ms Rowena Johns, Principal Research Officer (Legal)• ApprehendedViolenceLegalIssues

Co-ordinatingCommittee,CriminalLawReviewDivision,AttorneyGeneral’sDepartment

Appendix 11 — Visitors to the Commission

In2006–07theCommissionreceivedanumberofvisitsfromjudicialofficersandotherdistinguishedvisitorsfrombothinterstateandoverseasseekingtobenefitfromourexperience.ThevisitorsanddelegationsreceiveddemonstrationsofJIRS,toursoftheCommission’sfacilitiesandanexplanationoftheCommission’sfunctionsandactivities.Manyofthevisitorswereparticularlyinterestedindiscussingoureducationprograms,theuseofinformationtechnologyincludingJIRSandthecomplaintsfunction.Fulldetailsofvisitorsanddelegationsaresetoutbelow.

Visitors• JudgeDanielleYeow,DistrictJudge,

SubordinateCourtsofSingapore(11–13July2006)

• MsChanWaiYin,ChiefInformationOfficer,SubordinateCourtsofSingapore(11–13July2006)

• HerHonourJudgeNancyGertner,UnitedStatesDistrictJudge,DistrictofMassachusetts(24July2006)

• MsPennyArmytage,Secretary,DepartmentofJustice,Victoria(3August2006)

• MsSueWalkerMP,ShadowAttorneyGeneral,WesternAustralia(25September2006)

• MsKateSumner,LegalAdviser–JudicialReform,Indonesia–AustraliaLegalDevelopmentFacility(9October2006)

• TheHonourableChiefJusticeMartin,ChiefJusticeofWesternAustralia(11October2006)

• HisHonourAssistantJudgeTakashiMasuo,KurumeBranchofFukoukaDistrictCourt,Japan(13October2006)

• MsMargaretMiao,AustraliaChinaFriendship&ExchangeAssociation(20October2006)

• MrWeldonLiu,AustraliaChinaFriendship&ExchangeAssociation(20October2006)

• TheHonourableJusticeMerePulea,JudgeoftheHighCourtofFiji(27October2006)

• MrEnokaPuni,PacificJudicialDevelopmentProgram(27October2006)

• JusticeJinkuHwang,JudgeoftheSupremeCourtofKorea(30October2006)

• JudgeTaeSupLee,JudgeoftheSeoulSouthernDistrictCourtofKorea(30October2006)

• MsNatalieDavid,ProgramDirector,PacificJudicialDevelopmentProgram(28November2006)

• HisExcellencySumManit,AdvisertotheGovernmentofCambodiaandGeneralCoordinator,InternationalRelationsInstituteCambodia(7December2006)


Appendix 12 — Overseas visits

• InDecember2006,theCommission’sChiefExecutive,ErnestSchmatt,wasinvitedasamemberofanAustraliandelegation,toparticipateintheChina-AustraliaHumanRightsTechnicalCo-operationPrograminHaikou,HainanProvince,China.MrSchmattpresentedapaperonjudicialeducationandtookpartindiscussionswithChinesejudgesandacademicsaboutthejurysystem.Thevisitwasorganised

bytheHumanRightsandEqualOpportunityCommissionandfundedbyAusAID.

• InMay2007,theCommission’sChiefExecutive,ErnestSchmatt,attendedthesecondAsiaPacificJudicialReformForumWorkingPartyMeetinginPutrajaya,Malaysia.Followingthemeeting,MrSchmattpresentedademonstrationofJIRSfortheChiefJusticeofMalaysiaandotherseniormembersofthejudiciary.

• MrPJFitzpatrick,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,CourtsService,Ireland(8–9January2007)

• MrJohnCoyle,HeadofInformationTechnology,CourtsService,Ireland(8–9January2007)

• ProfessorCarlBaar,DepartmentofPoliticalScience,YorkUniversity,Toronto,Canada(31January2007)

• MsSandraPurser,AssistantDirector,InternationalLegalServicesSection,AustralianAttorney-General’sDepartment(26March2007)

• MrJohnNumapo,ChiefMagistrate,PapuaNewGuinea(18April2007)

• MsRachealOdoiMusoke,PrincipalLegalOfficer,UgandaLawReformCommission(24April2007)

• TheHonourableJusticeDavidWong,HighCourtofMalaysia(7June2007)

• MsLiXin,DivisionDirector,InternationalJudicialCo-operationDepartmentoftheSupremeProsecutionServiceofthePeople’sRepublicofChina(7–11May2007)

• DrYangHonglei,JudgeoftheFourthCivilDivision,SupremePeople’sCourt,People’sRepublicofChina(18–19June2007)

Delegations• 17memberdelegationofjudgesfromthe

ShenzhenIntermediatePeople’sCourt(12July2006)

• 22memberdelegationfromtheTianjinDisciplineInspectionCommitteeandtheTianjingSupervisionBureau,People’sRepublicofChina(20October2006)

• 10memberdelegationfromtheSupremePeople’sCourtofVietnam(25–26October2006)

• DelegationofseniorjudgesandcourtadministratorsfromtheSupremeCourtof

IndonesialedbytheDeputyChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourt,IbuMariannaSutadi(16November2006)

• TheExpeditiousDisposalofCasesCommitteeoftheKenyanJudiciary(22February2007).Thedelegationconsistedofthefollowingmembers:• TheHonourableMrJusticeRSCOmolo,

PresidingJudgeoftheCourtofAppeal(Chairman)

• TheHonourableMrJusticePhilipWaki,JudgeoftheCourtofAppeal

• TheHonourableLadyJusticeKRawal,JudgeoftheHighCourt

• TheHonourableMrJusticeJosephNyamu,JudgeoftheHighCourt

• MsMuthoniKimani,DeputySolicitor-General

• MrOnyangoOriri,RepresentativeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions

• MrsPamelTutui,Advocate,RepresentativeoftheLawSocietyofKenya

• MrsGraceNzioka,PrincipalMagistrateandSecretarytotheRulesCommittee

• MrEdwardMMuriithi,PrincipalDeputyRegistrarandSecretarytotheCommittee

• MrJorumAboudha,AssistantEditor,Kenya Law Reports

• Delegationof10lawyersandotherofficials,includingajudgeoftheSupremePeople’sCourtofthePeople’sRepublicofChinaandaprosecutorfromtheSupremePeople’sProcuratorate(26March2007)


Appendix 13 — Exchange of information

TheCommissionactivelyseekstoexchangeinformationwithothergovernmentagencies,academicinstitutionsandindividuals.Sinceitsestablishment,theCommissionhasbuiltstronglinkswithsimilarorganisationsinothercountriesinordertoshareknowledgeandexperience,particularlyintheareasofjudicialeducationandcriminologicalresearch.Thishasprovedtobeamostvaluablenetworkand,asaresult,theCommissionnowholdsawealthofinformationconcerningthesesubjects.

In2006–07,theCommissionhaddiscussionsandexchangedinformationwiththefollowingorganisations:

Australian• AboriginalJusticeAdvisoryCouncil• AdministrativeAppealsTribunal• AdministrativeDecisionsTribunal• AttorneyGeneral’sDepartment(Cth)• AttorneyGeneral’sDepartment(NSW)• AustralianAgencyforInternationalDevelopment• AustralianBureauofStatistics• AustralianInstituteofCriminology• AustralasianInstituteofJudicialAdministration• AustralianNationalUniversity• BarAssociationofNewSouthWales• BureauofCrimeStatisticsandResearch• CentreforDemocraticInstitutions(ACT)• CollegeofLaw• CommonwealthDirectorofPublicProsecutions• CommunityRelationsCommission• ContinuingLegalEducationAssociationof

Australasia• CouncilofAustralasianTribunals• CriminalLawReviewDivision,Attorney

General’sDepartment• DepartmentofCommerce,Officeofthe

GovernmentChiefInformationOfficer• DepartmentofCorrectiveServices• DepartmentofJusticeandAttorneyGeneral

(Qld)• DepartmentofJuvenileJustice• DomesticViolenceAdvocacyService• FederalCourtofAustralia• HighCourtofAustralia• IndependentCommissionAgainstCorruption• InstituteofCriminology,UniversityofSydney• InternationalDevelopmentLawOrganisation• JudicialCollegeofVictoria• JudicialConferenceofAustralia• LawandJusticeFoundationofNewSouth

Wales

• LawInstituteofVictoria• LawSocietyofNewSouthWales• LegalAidCommission• LeoCussenInstitute(Vic)• MacquarieUniversityLawSchool• MonashUniversityLawSchool(Vic)• NationalJudicialCollegeofAustralia• NewSouthWalesLawReformCommission• NewSouthWalesOfficeofStateRevenue• NewSouthWalesPoliceService• NewSouthWalesSentencingCouncil• OfficeoftheDirectorofPublicProsecutions

(NSW)• Ombudsman’sOfficeofNewSouthWales• ParliamentaryCounsel’sOffice• Premier’sDepartment(NSW)• PublicDefendersOffice(NSW)• RoadsandTrafficAuthority• SentencingAdvisoryCouncil(Vic)• UniversityofMelbourneLawSchool(Vic)• UniversityofNewSouthWalesFacultyofLaw• UniversityofSydneyFacultyofLaw• UniversityofTechnology,Sydney• UniversityofWollongongFacultyofLaw• WorkersCompensationCommission

International• AmericanJudicatureSociety• AsiaPacificJudicialEducatorsForum,Manila• AsiaPacificJudicialReformForum• Australia–IndonesiaLegalDevelopmentFacility• CanadianAssociationofProvincialCourtJudges• CommonwealthJudicialEducationInstitute,

Halifax,Canada• CommonwealthMagistrates’andJudges’

Association,UnitedKingdom• CourtofAppealforOntario,Canada• FederalCourt,Malaysia• HighCourtofDelhi,NewDelhi,India• HighCourtoftheSolomonIslands• InstituteofJudicialStudies,NewZealand• JudicialCommissionofIndonesia,Jakarta• JudicialEducationReference,Informationand

TechnicalTransfer(JERITT)Project,Michigan,USA

• JudicialStudiesBoard,London• MagisterialServicePapuaNewGuinea• MichiganJudicialInstitute,UnitedStatesof

America• NationalandSupremeCourtsofPapuaNew

Guinea• NationalAssociationofStateJudicialEducators,

Michigan,UnitedStatesofAmerica


• NationalCenterforStateCourts,Virginia,UnitedStatesofAmerica

• NationalJudicialAcademy,Bhopal,India• NationalJudicialInstitute,Canada• NewZealandLawSociety• PhilippinesJudicialAcademy,Manila

• ResearchandDevelopmentCenter,SupremeCourtofIndonesia

• SupremeCourtofCanada• SupremeCourtofIndonesia• SupremePeople’sCourt,Beijing,China• UniversityofWindsor,Canada

Appendix 14 — Papers given by Commission officers

StaffattheCommissionareinvitedtopresentpapersontheworkoftheCommissionatanumberofconferencesandseminars.Detailsofthesepresentationsaresetoutbelow:

• “TheroleandfunctionoftheJudicialCommissionofNewSouthWales.”PapergivenbyMrESchmattataCityofSydneyLawSocietySeminar,27September2006.

• “Electronicinformationandknowledgemanagement.”PresentationbyMrESchmattattheNationalJudicialOrientationProgram,Sydney,10October2006.

• “Recentsentencingissues.”PapergivenbyMrHDonnellyattheYoungLawyersContinuingLegalEducationSeminar,11October2006.

• “TheJudicialCommissionofNewSouthWales.”PapergivenbyMrESchmattattheVietnam–AustraliaHumanRightsTechnicalCo-operationProgram,Sydney,25October2006.

• “TheroleandfunctionoftheJudicialCommissionofNewSouthWales.”PapergivenbyMrESchmattattheSeminaronComparative

ResearchofPeople’sAssessorSystemandJurySystem,Haikou,People’sRepublicofChina,13December2006.

• “TheJudicialCommissionofNewSouthWales.”PapergivenbyMrESchmattatajudicialeducationprogramforThaijudges,UniversityofNewSouthWales,Sydney,21February2007.

• “Implementationcasestudy.”PresentationbyMrMSagiattheOpenCeBITConference,Sydney,3May2007.

• “TheJudicialInformationResearchSystem.”PresentationbyMrESchmattfortheFederalCourtofMalaysia,ThePalaceofJustice,Putrajaya,Malaysia,31May2007.

• “Initiativesinsexualassaulttrainingforjudicialofficers.”PapergivenbyMsRWindelerfortheVictimsOfCrimeBureau—InteragencyForum,Sydney,12June2007.

• “Complaintsagainstjudicialofficers.”PapergivenbyMrESchmattfortheContinuingLegalEducationAssociationofAustralasia,Sydney,20June2007.


Appendix 15 — Freedom of Information

Asan“agency”undertheFreedomofInformationAct1989,theCommissionisrequiredtopublishparticularinformationandtodeterminerequestsforaccessto,oramendmentof,informationthatitholds.

Categories of documents held by the CommissionOfficialdocumentsoftheCommissionarestoredinfilesthatareheldontheCommission’spremises.Thesefilesfallintothefollowingprincipalcategories:

• Administration—ThesefilescoveraspectsoftheCommission’sinternaladministration,includingbudgetandfinancematters,correspondenceandaccommodation.Education,researchandcomputerrelatedfilesarealsoheldwithintheadministrationgroup.

• Staff matters—Thesefilesrelatetorecruitment,stafftraining,staffpersonnelfilesandsalaries.

• Contracts and tendering—TheJudicialInformationResearchSystemhasgivenrisetoanumberofdocuments,manyofwhichstillcontaincommerciallysensitivematerial.

• Commission matters—Minutes,agendasandbusinesspapersrelatingtomeetingsconvenedbyandheldattheCommission.

• Complaints—Filesanddocumentsrelatingtocomplaintsagainstjudicialofficers.

TheCommission’sfilesaregenerallynotavailableforinspectionanddocumentsinrelationtocomplaintsaresubjecttosecrecyprovisionsandaretherebyclassedasexemptdocuments.

Access to documents published by the Commission ThefollowingdocumentsareavailableforinspectionandpurchasefromtheCommission’sFreedomofInformationCo-ordinator:

• theCommission’sSummaryofAffairs

• theCommission’sStatementofAffairs• theCommission’sAnnualReport.

Access to documents for the purpose of alteration TheCommissionholdsnopersonalrecordsofanymemberofthepublic.NoarrangementsexistforthepublictochangeanydocumentsheldbytheCommission.Staff(includingformerstaff)donotneedtouseFreedomofInformationtoaccesstheirpersonnelfiles.

Freedom of Information Report

NameofAgency JudicialCommissionofNewSouthWales

Periodfrom 1July2006–30June2007

Agencyreferencenumber

1640

Contactperson FreedomofInformationCo-ordinator

Applications and other details

In2006–07theCommissionreceivednoapplicationsundertheFOIActforaccesstodocumentscomparedwithnoapplicationsin2005–06and2004–05,andoneapplicationin2003–04.

Duringthereportingperiod:

• noMinisterialCertificateswereissued• norequestsrequiredformalconsultations• norequestswerereceivedfortheamendmentor

notationofpersonalrecords• therewerenoreviewsorappeals• theadministrationofFOIactivitiesdidnothave

anysignificantimpactontheCommission’sactivities.


Appendix 16 — Other compliance matters

Applicationforextensionoftime Noextensionappliedfor.

Codeofconduct Noamendmentsweremadein�006–07

Disabilityplan TheCommissionisnotrequiredtoreportonadisabilityplanunderthePublic Sector Employment and Management Act �00�.

Eventswithasignificanteffectonthesucceedingyearafterthebalancedate

Noeventhadasignificanteffectafterthebalancedate.

Executiveofficers,performance NotreportedbecausetheCommission’sexecutiveofficersarenotemployedunderthePublic Sector Employment and Management Act�00�butundertheJudicial Officers Act�986.

Fundsgrantedtonon-governmentcommunityorganisations

None.

Heritagemanagement Notapplicable

Implementationofpricedetermination Notapplicable.

LanddisposalTheCommissiondoesnotownanddidnotdisposeofanyproperty.

Majorassets TheCommissiondoesnotownanymajorassets.

Requirementsarisingfromemploymentarrangements

Notapplicable.

Responsestoreportsofparliamentarycommitteesandauditor-general

Nosignificantmattersrequiringaresponsewereraised.

SubordinateLegislationAct,departuresfrom Notapplicable.

Subsidiaries,disclosureof TheCommissionhasnosubsidiaries.


Glossary

AIJA —AustralasianInstituteofJudicialAdministration

Appointed Member —Anon-judicialmemberoftheJudicialCommission.SeealsoOfficialMember.

Bench Books —Referencebooksforjudicialofficers.

Complaint —Acomplaintagainstajudicialofficeraboutabilityorbehaviour,eithermadebyamemberofthepublicorreferredtotheCommissionbytheAttorneyGeneral.

Conduct Division —AspecialpanelthatexaminesaparticularcomplaintreferredtoitbytheCommission.

Education Day —Calculatedonthebasisof5to6instructionalhoursattendedbyajudicialofficer.

Help Desk —Atelephoneserviceforjudicialofficersthatprovidesassistancewithallaspectsofcomputerusage.

JIRS —seeJudicialInformationResearchSystem.

Judicial Commission —1.AnindependentstatutoryorganisationestablishedbytheJudicial Officers Act 1986.2.TheAppointedMembersandOfficialMembers,collectively.

Judicial Information —Anonlinelegalreferencetoolforjudicialofficers,relevantgovernmentResearch System (JIRS) organisationsandmembersofthelegalprofession.

Judicial Officer —AsdefinedintheJudicial Officers Act1986:• ajudgeorassociatejudgeoftheSupremeCourt

• amember(includingajudicialmember)oftheIndustrialRelationsCommission

• ajudgeoftheLandandEnvironmentCourt

• ajudgeoftheDistrictCourt

• amagistrate

• thepresidentoftheAdministrativeDecisionsTribunal.

Thedefinitionofjudicialofficerincludesactingappointmentstoajudicialoffice,butdoesnotincludearbitrators,registrars,chamberregistrars,assessors,membersoftribunals,legalrepresentatives,retiredjudicialofficersorfederaljudicialofficers.

NJCA —NationalJudicialCollegeofAustralia

Official Member —AjudicialmemberoftheJudicialCommission.

Pre-bench Training —Aninductionprogramfornewlyappointedmagistratestoassistthemwiththeirtransitiontothebench.

Vexatious complainant —The Judicial Officers ActempowerstheCommissiontodeclareasavexatiouscomplainantapersonwhohabituallyandpersistently,andmischievouslyorwithoutanyreasonablegroundsmakescomplaintsaboutjudicialofficers.TheeffectofthedeclarationisthattheCommissionmaydisregardanyfurthercomplaintfromthecomplainant.


Index

Entriesinboldindicatecompliancewithstatutoryreportingrequirements

access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover

achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,14,22,28

Action Plan for Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

after balance date events having a significant effect in succeeding year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

aims and objectives . . . . . . . . . .inside front cover, 2

annual report format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

benchbooks . . . . . . . 1,2,3,5,6,7,13,14,20,21,22,23,25,26,27,40,43,71,73

benchmarking of performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 32

charter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

code of conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Commissionhistory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Commission meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Commission members

conflictsofinterest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

method and term of appointment . . . . . . . 8–10

names and qualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10

remuneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

role of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 71, 72–73, 78–79

community served . . . . . . . . . . . inside front cover

complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6, 13, 28–35, 65–70

advicetothepublic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

benchmarking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

casestudies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34–35

commoncauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,34

Conduct Division . . . . . . . . . .30–31, 41, 65–70

dismissed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 31, 32

enquiries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,65–70

keyresults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

nature and scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33–34

overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

particulars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28–29, 65–68

programexpenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

received and finalised . . . . . . . . . . . . .28, 30–31

resolution of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30–32

servicemeasures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

timestandard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

vexatious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Conduct Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30–31, 41, 65–70

consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

consumer response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

controlled entities, disclosure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

corporateservices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

credit card certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

disability plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

economic or other factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

electronic service delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

employment arrangements, requirements arising from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

energy management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

equal employment opportunity . . . . . . . . . . . . .38–39

ethnic affairs priorities statement . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

executive officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11–12

numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 84

extension of time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

financialperformance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

financial report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44–63

financialsummary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

freedom of information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

funds granted to non-government community organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

futuredirections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,19,20,21,26,27

glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

guarantee of service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

heritage management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

human resources

employees by category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

employmentconditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

executive positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

industrial relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

performanceappraisal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

personneloverview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

personnel policies and practices . . . . . . .36–38

staffdevelopmentandtraining . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

wages, movements in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

informationexchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78,79,81–82

informationtechnology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,41,43,78

internet address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88, .back cover

JIRS . . . . . 1,2,3,5,6,20,21,22–26,40,43,79,80,85

caselaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

casesummaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24


components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,25

currency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

sentencingstatistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24–25

judicialeducation . . . .insidefrontcover,5,6,7,14–21,33,40,43,71,72,7374,78,79

annualconferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,16,73

assistancetootherjurisdictions . . . . . . . . . . . 78

attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

benchbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

benchmarking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72–73

communityvalues . . . . . . . . . .insidefrontcover

computertraining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,17

designprocess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

judgmentwriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

judicialorientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,17,19

judicialskills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,15

keyresults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

programexpenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20,76–77

seminarprogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,17,74


topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73–75

voluntaryversusmandatory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Judicial Officers Act1986 . . . . . insidefrontcover,4,5,8,9,10,13,28,30,37,41,52,65,68,69,71,84,85

judicialsupportsystem—see also JIRS . . .insidefrontcover,5,7,22,78

keyresults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

land disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Lawcodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

legal change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

letter of submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

major assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

management and activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14–43

nature and range of activities . . . . inside frontcover, 2, 3, 5–7

performance measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3

performance review . . . . . . . 2, 3, 7, 13, 18, 36

management and structure — see also Commission members; executive officers

committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72–73

executive officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11–12

interdepartmental committees . . . . . . . .78–79

organisational chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

occupational health and safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

organisational chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

overseas visits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

papers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

payment of accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

price determination, implementation of . . . . . . . 84

privacy management plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

production costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

program evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 18, 19, 71

program expenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20, 23, 26, 75–77

purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .insidefrontcover

research and development . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 26, 78

researchandsentencing—see also JIRS . . . . . . insidefrontcover,5,22–27,43

keyresults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

programexpenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

researchassistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

researchenquiries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

researchstudies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,27

Sentencing Bench Book . . . 1,5,6,22,23,26,27

sentencingstatistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24


standardnon-paroleperiodoffences . . . . . . . 26

risk management and insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

SentencingCouncil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

servicemeasures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

sexualassault . . . 1,14,15,17,20,27,33,38,40,43,73–74

spokeswomen’sprogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13,36–38

Subordinate Legislation Act, departures from . . . . 84

subsidiaries, disclosure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

summary review of operations . . . . . . . . .2–3, 14–35

values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .insidefrontcover

vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .insidefrontcover

visitorstotheCommission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79–80

waste reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40


Annual Report of the Judicial Commission of New South Wales 2006–07

Published by the Judicial Commission of New South Wales 2007ISSN1441-8444

CostThetotalexternalcostsincurredintheproductionofthisreportwere$5,930.84

FormatTheAnnualReportisalsoavailableontheCommission’swebsiteatwww.judcom.nsw.gov.au

WriterRuthSheard

DesignerLorraineBeal

PrinterBloxham&Chambers

PhotographyCover:PhotodiscandCommissionstaff

Internals,page35:AmberLi,Australia–ChinaFriendshipandExchangeAssociation

Allotherphotos:Commissionstaff

annual report 2006-07 · annual report 2006–2007 3 service measures measuring how well the...

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