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Sunday February 12, 2012

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Judges could face psych tests

Posted by: 3AW Radio & Paul Astin | 30 July, 2010 - 7:41 AM
Judges

PLAYING NOW: Attorney General Rob Hulls speaks to Ross and John about a proposal to make judges and magistrates pass medical and psychological tests.

Paul Austin, The Age: Judge and magistrates could face physical and mental health checks before being appointed, under a contentious government plan to modernise Victoria's judiciary.

Prospective judges may also be required to do extensive training - including role play - and refresher courses throughout their career.

Two months after announcing a judicial commission to monitor judges' behaviour as part of a new anti-corruption regime, Attorney-General Rob Hulls is moving to overhaul the way judges are appointed.

Mr Hulls wants to modernise the judiciary. He says to meet the demands of the 21st-century justice system, the modern judge needs to have broader skills than the traditional attributes of high-level legal and technical skills.

''They need to be effective communicators on and off the bench, adept in … dispute resolution and willing to adapt to change and extend their understanding of the law.''

In a discussion paper to be released today, Mr Hulls says revamping the way judges are selected could ''improve the transparency, quality and diversity of appointments'' and strengthen people's confidence in the courts.

The 36-page Department of Justice paper says the government needs to ''ensure the judiciary reflects the diversity of the community'' by moving beyond the tradition of judges coming from the bar and being predominantly middle-class, Anglo-Saxon men.

It says that because judges and magistrates are appointed until the age of 70, the government should consider introducing health checks for people in line for appointment.

People with mental disorders or physical disabilities could be ruled out of contention.

Blog comments Your Say

  • Why stop at judges ?
    There are a few state polies that show all the warning signs of severe mental illness.
    Back flips, poor judgement,mood swings, trouble concentrating, difficulty making simple decissions, hold on that just about wipes out the front bench !!!

    Steve of Hadfield Tuesday 3 August, 2010 - 10:03 AM

  • I believe Judges and magistrates should face health checks.
    I also believe that Rob Hulls
    has stacked the benches with his incompetent Labour mates.
    There should be an inquiry into Rob Hulls mates competency!

    Gill Friday 30 July, 2010 - 4:23 PM

  • Judges with mental disorders MAY be ruled out of contention!! It's no wonder why this State's judicial system is in such disarray.

    Jo Friday 30 July, 2010 - 1:48 PM

  • The trouble with most Judges is that they were generally brought up in affluent communities, private school education and they live in a fantasy world. Too old and with a defined boy's club mentality~!

    Lenny Friday 30 July, 2010 - 11:58 AM

  • Get more young judges in the job who are keen and keep themselves up to date with the law and sentencing. These old judges wouldn't know what life was like outside of Toorak.

    Graham Friday 30 July, 2010 - 10:40 AM

  • Id be more inclined to check there Bank Accounts.

    janet page Friday 30 July, 2010 - 8:31 AM

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