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NSW Caretaker Convention in effect on this site from Friday 3 March 2023.
The following information relates to the appointment of permanent judicial officers, as well as the appointment of other statutory officers in NSW.
The Governor-in-Council appoints judicial officers on the recommendation of the Attorney General.
Vacancies for judges of the District Court and Local Court magistrates are advertised.
The appointment of judges to the higher courts and the appointment of heads of jurisdiction continue to be made traditionally following consultation with the head of jurisdiction and relevant legal professional bodies. The head of jurisdiction is the most senior judicial officer of each court, that is, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court, the Chief Judge of the District Court and the Chief Magistrate.
Section 44 of the Judicial Officers Act 1986 provides that judicial officers and magistrates must retire on reaching the age of 75 years.
The Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Tribunal (SOORT) is an independent body established by the Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Act 1975 to make binding determinations on the remuneration and/or additional entitlements payable to judges, magistrates and related office holders.
The Judges' Pensions Act 1953 makes provision for pensions for judges.
Magistrates are covered by State Government superannuation schemes or private sector complying superannuation funds.
The Attorney General has approved a list of personal and professional criteria, which will be considered in selecting candidates for every judicial office in New South Wales.
The statutory requirements for qualification for office are set out in the relevant legislation establishing the court:
Appointments will be made on the basis of merit. Subject to this principle, including the relevant considerations listed below, there is a commitment to actively promoting diversity in the judiciary. Consideration will be given to all legal experience, including that outside mainstream legal practice, and to willingness to serve in regional locations.
Where a vacancy for judicial office occurs, which is to be advertised, advertisements are placed in local and national newspapers and on this website calling for expressions of interest (EOI). The Law Society of NSW and the NSW Bar Association are also notified of the vacancy.
Visit jobs.dcj.nsw.gov.au and search for current advertised positions using the following keyword/s:
A panel is convened from time to time to review EOIs against the selection criteria. The panel commonly includes the relevant head of jurisdication, a senior officer from the Department of Communities and Justice and at least one leading member of the legal profession.
The panel develops a short list of candidates for interview. Following interviews candidates are assessed as being highly suitable, suitable or unsuitable for judicial office – candidates are not otherwise ranked within these categories. The panel then provides a report to the Attorney General, who is ultimately the final decision maker on the recommendations to the Governor-in-Council with respect to all judicial appointments.
Given the high level of interest in appointment to judicial office and the occurrence of vacancies throughout the year, the panel may reconvene to conduct fresh interviews to assist in expanding the pool of applicants identified as being most suitable for judicial office.
Expressions of interest (EOIs) provide a pool of candidates from which a list of suitable candidates for judicial office may be drawn. The Attorney General may draw upon this list as vacancies arise.
While EOIs are usually submitted in response to an advertised position, interested persons may submit an EOI at any time in relation to possible future vacancies for District Court judges and Local Court magistrates. All EOIs are treated as confidential. Consultation with referees and stakeholders will still take place regarding persons being considered for appointment.
The list of EOIs will remain active until the next advertisement calling for fresh EOIs. Commonly, the period between advertisements is 12 to 18 months.
Other statutory appointments in NSW that are advertised are:
The selection process for these positions is the same as that applying to advertised judicial vacancies.
Enquiries regarding the appointments process may be made to Appointment Services.
12 Sep 2022
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
Informed by lessons of the past, Department of Communities and Justice is improving how we work with Aboriginal people and communities. We listen and learn from the knowledge, strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors, Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal communities.
You can access our apology to the Stolen Generations.