Judicial careers

The following information relates to the appointment of permanent judicial officers, as well as the appointment of other statutory officers in NSW.

Judicial appointments

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.

Terms and conditions of office

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.

Selection criteria

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:

Overriding principle

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.

Professional qualities

Proficiency in the law and its underlying principles
High level of professional expertise and ability in the area(s) of professional specialisation
Applied experience (through the practice of law or other branches of legal practice)
Intellectual and analytical ability
Ability to discharge duties promptly
Capacity to work under pressure
Effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills with peers and members of the public
Ability to clearly explain procedure and decisions to all parties
Effective management of workload
Ability to maintain authority and inspire respect
Willingness to participate in ongoing judicial education
Ability to use, or willingness to learn modern information technology.

Personal qualities

Integrity
Independence and impartiality
Good character
Common sense and good judgement
Courtesy and patience
Social awareness.

Advertised positions

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.

Searching current advertised positions

Visit jobs.dcj.nsw.gov.au and search for current advertised positions using the following keyword/s:

District Court Judge
Local Court magistrate
Crown Prosecutor
Public Defender
Land and Environment Court Commissioner
Industrial Relations Commission Commissioner
Civil and Administrative Tribunal Member.

Search now

Selection process

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

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 positions

Other statutory appointments in NSW that are advertised are:

Crown Prosecutors
Public Defenders
Commissioners of the Land and Environment Court
Commissioners of the Industrial Relations Commission
Members of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal [Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013]

The selection process for these positions is the same as that applying to advertised judicial vacancies.

Enquiries

Enquiries regarding the appointments process may be made to Appointment Services.

Last updated:

12 Sep 2022