Annual Report 2016-17

1 Overview of the Commission 2016–17 highlights Achieved 91% judicial satisfaction with the continuing education program. See page 23. Published a major study on sentencing in the Land and Environment Court of NSW. See page 33. Achieved 91% staff satisfaction with employment at the Commission. See page 63. Held 10 Commission meetings and 4 Audit and Risk Management Committee meetings. See pages 72 and 75. Generated revenue of $812,000 from other sources. See page 85. The Honourable Mark Speakman, SC MP Attorney General 52 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Dear Attorney General The Judicial Commission of NSW has pleasure in presenting to you the report of its activities for the year ended 30 June 2017. This report is submitted in accordance with section 49 of the Judicial Officers Act 1986 and section 12 of the Annual Reports (Departments) Act 1985. It is required to be laid before both Houses of Parliament. Yours sincerely E J Schmatt PSM Chief Executive Judicial Commission of NSW LEVEL 5, 60 CARRINGTON STREET, SYDNEY NSW 2000 GPO BOX 3634, SYDNEY NSW 2001 TELEPHONE: (02) 9299 4421 DX: 886 SYDNEY EMAIL: judcom@judcom.nsw.gov.au WEBSITE: www.judcom.nsw.gov.au The Honourable T Bathurst AC Chief Justice of NSW President Judicial Commission of NSW Judicial Commission of New South Wales Launched the pilot Integrated Criminal Case System Database for Papua New Guinea. See page 58. Our cover photo is of the cityscape surrounding the St James Court Complex showing the blend of the old and the new. The Supreme Court building is in the background behind the original cupola of the old Supreme Court (1820–1828) designed by ex-convict architect Francis Greenway. Contents 2016–17 highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Overview of the Commission . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Our organisational structure . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Our services delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Our history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Results in brief and looking to the year ahead . . . . 6 Performance results 2015–17 and targets 2016–18 . . 8 President’s foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Chief Executive’s message . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Judicial Commission members . . . . . . . . . 14 Our executive team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Continuing judicial education . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Providing legal information . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Examining complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Our partners and the community . . . . . . . . . 51 Our people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Our governance, policies and processes . . . . . . 69 Our finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Endmatter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Looking at the last 5 years . . . . . . . . . . . 129