Annual Report 2016-17

21 Continuing judicial education Evaluating the program’s performance An assessment of the program’s results shown in Table 1 demonstrates that our judicial education program performed well in 2016–17. The table shows the evidence for each identified result as well as details of each measure we have put in place to achieve our objectives. * The national standard for attendance is 5 days a calendar year. The national standard was developed by the National Judicial College of Australia and endorsed by the Council of Chief Justices of Australia and New Zealand and national and state judicial education bodies: see Appendix 3 for more information. ** The overall average attendance rate and education days offered are lower than last year because the Local Court annual conference was not held in this financial year. However, the conference will be held early in the new financial year. Result Measures Performance Judicial officers were informed about changes to the law, community values, court practice and procedure. Maintain or increase number of reviewed publications. Monthly Judicial Commission meetings and/or bench book committees and experts reviewed publications. Publications output was maintained and included 16 bench book and handbook updates, 2 major research papers, 11 bulletins and 2 journal issues. Maintain or increase number of specialised education events offered. Increased the number of education events offered with 44 education events held (last year: 43). Education sessions offered assisted judicial officers to reach the national standard* of 5 judicial education days each year. We offered 3.5 education days this year for each judicial officer.** Judicial skills, attitudes and knowledge were enhanced. Maintain or increase ratings that our services provide judicially relevant and stimulating education and information. Evaluations show 82% of participants (last year: 81%) agreed that education events were applicable to their work; and 78% (last year: 80%) agreed they enhanced their knowledge and capability. Maintain number of skills-based workshops. 5 workshops (last year: 6) offered throughout the year. Information in the Equality Before the Law Bench Book is current and addresses access and diversity issues. Amendments planned for the Equality Before the Law Bench Book . Judicial officers were satisfied with our education program. Maintain or improve satisfaction rates from last year. Evaluations of all education sessions show we maintained our performance with 91% satisfaction with our continuing education program (last year: 93%). Maintain or increase voluntary attendance rates.* Attendances rates decreased to 2.2 average training days undertaken by each judicial officer (last year: 5 days).** We responded to concerns about judicial performance raised in the complaints process. Design education events based on specific concerns raised in complaints. Education events in orientation programs held in 2016–17 addressed bias; requirements for a fair and courteous hearing; judicial conduct in and out of court. Expenditure was within budget. According to budget plan. As at 30 June 2017, judicial education expenditure was $3.54 million, or 56% of overall expenditure. Table 1. Results for judicial education