Handbook for Judicial Officers

Public confidence in the impartial and independent administration of justice is a core element of the justice system. However, public confidence cannot be taken for granted. It must be continuously earned and replenished. While newly appointed judicial officers bring their legal expertise and experience to their new positions, the judicial role requires additional skills and expertise. It is the long experience of judges and of the Judicial Commission of NSW that excellence in judicial performance is best achieved when underpinned by dedicated judicial education. The Judicial Commission’s judicial education programs provide continuing practical support, assisting judges to administer justice in the courts in which they preside, which in turn assists in maintaining public confidence. In this regard, the online Handbook for Judicial Officers is an important resource for judicial officers.

The Handbook contains a collection of articles curated from a broad selection of judicial speeches and recent papers published in The Judicial Review and the Judicial Officers’ Bulletin, as well as articles by legal academics. While principally directed to new judicial officers, the Handbook provides guidance to all judicial officers on all aspects of the judicial role.