Are you drowning in reserve judgments? Or are you over-reliant on the written word?
In this skills-based event, you will refine your current technique in order to deliver oral decisions with competence and confidence.
You will be provided guidance on:
• when to give an oral decision
• structure and methodology of an effective oral decision
• techniques for preparation and delivery
• the requirements of an oral decision – including introductions, structure and tailoring to your audience.
You will be given the opportunity to either present your oral decision or discuss your ‘path of reasoning’ and receive feedback and guidance from the experienced judicial officer facilitators.
Speakers.
Supreme Court of Victoria
Justice Ted Woodward
Justice Ted Woodward is a judge of the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria and President of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Before being appointed to the Supreme Court, his Honour was a Judge in the Commercial Division of the County Court from 2017 to 2023. During his time at the County Court, his Honour was Judge in Charge of the Building Cases List and, from June 2020, the Head of the Commercial Division. In that role, he headed up the development of new case management and dispute resolution practices in the Division.
Justice Woodward joined the Victorian Bar in 1997, taking silk in 2010. During his time at the Bar, his Honour practised primarily in commercial and corporations matters (particularly in corporate insolvency) and was involved in a number of bushfire and anti-corruption enquiries. He also served on the Victorian Bar Council and Bar Ethics Committee.
Before joining the Bar, Justice Woodward practised as a solicitor at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens Linklaters) for 13 years, five of those as a partner, practising primarily in commercial litigations and insolvency.
Supreme Court of Victoria
Justice Ted Woodward
Justice Ted Woodward is a judge of the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria and President of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Before being appointed to the Supreme Court, his Honour was a Judge in the Commercial Division of the County Court from 2017 to 2023. During his time at the County Court, his Honour was Judge in Charge of the Building Cases List and, from June 2020, the Head of the Commercial Division. In that role, he headed up the development of new case management and dispute resolution practices in the Division.
Justice Woodward joined the Victorian Bar in 1997, taking silk in 2010. During his time at the Bar, his Honour practised primarily in commercial and corporations matters (particularly in corporate insolvency) and was involved in a number of bushfire and anti-corruption enquiries. He also served on the Victorian Bar Council and Bar Ethics Committee.
Before joining the Bar, Justice Woodward practised as a solicitor at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens Linklaters) for 13 years, five of those as a partner, practising primarily in commercial litigations and insolvency.
Supreme Court of Victoria
Justice John Dixon
Justice John Dixon was, until recently, the Principal Judge of the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria, jointly with Justice Lisa Nichols in charge of the Group Proceedings List and the judge in charge of the Major Torts List.
Justice John Dixon was first admitted to legal practice in Queensland in 1977. He was called to the Victorian Bar in 1981, initially practising in criminal law. Later, he practised in commercial and equity matters, particularly investment, corporations, property, insurance, and land contamination cases. He was appointed senior counsel in 2007.
He was appointed to the Court in 2010. As a generalist, his Honour has also sat in the Criminal Division (terrorism & murder), the Commercial Court, and in the Court of Appeal, but has principally concentrated on tort cases, especially defamation and group proceedings.
Supreme Court of Victoria
Justice John Dixon
Justice John Dixon was, until recently, the Principal Judge of the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria, jointly with Justice Lisa Nichols in charge of the Group Proceedings List and the judge in charge of the Major Torts List.
Justice John Dixon was first admitted to legal practice in Queensland in 1977. He was called to the Victorian Bar in 1981, initially practising in criminal law. Later, he practised in commercial and equity matters, particularly investment, corporations, property, insurance, and land contamination cases. He was appointed senior counsel in 2007.
He was appointed to the Court in 2010. As a generalist, his Honour has also sat in the Criminal Division (terrorism & murder), the Commercial Court, and in the Court of Appeal, but has principally concentrated on tort cases, especially defamation and group proceedings.
Retired County Court Judge
Her Honour Felicity Hampel AM SC
Her Hon Felicity Hampel AM SC is a retired judge of the County Court of Victoria and vice president of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Her Honour is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, deputy chair of the Board of the Australian Advocacy Institute, and a Bencher of the Inner Temple. Judge Hampel was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday honours for significant services to the judiciary, legal organisations, and women. Her Honour was a founding member of Australian Women Lawyers and the Women Barristers Association, Vice-Chair of the Victorian Bar Readers Course Committee, and a member of the Victorian Bar Equality before the Law Committee. Judge Hampel commenced practice as a barrister in 1981, was appointed QC in 1996, converting to Senior Counsel in 2001. Judge Hampel was appointed to the County Court in 2005 and accepted a concurrent appointment as a Vice President of VCAT in 2010. Her Honour developed a national practice, predominantly in human rights, administrative and criminal law before her appointment to the County Court. In addition, she is a nationally and internationally renowned leader in the development and delivery of advocacy teaching advocacy skills.
Retired County Court Judge
Her Honour Felicity Hampel AM SC
Her Hon Felicity Hampel AM SC is a retired judge of the County Court of Victoria and vice president of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Her Honour is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, deputy chair of the Board of the Australian Advocacy Institute, and a Bencher of the Inner Temple. Judge Hampel was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday honours for significant services to the judiciary, legal organisations, and women. Her Honour was a founding member of Australian Women Lawyers and the Women Barristers Association, Vice-Chair of the Victorian Bar Readers Course Committee, and a member of the Victorian Bar Equality before the Law Committee. Judge Hampel commenced practice as a barrister in 1981, was appointed QC in 1996, converting to Senior Counsel in 2001. Judge Hampel was appointed to the County Court in 2005 and accepted a concurrent appointment as a Vice President of VCAT in 2010. Her Honour developed a national practice, predominantly in human rights, administrative and criminal law before her appointment to the County Court. In addition, she is a nationally and internationally renowned leader in the development and delivery of advocacy teaching advocacy skills.
County Court of Victoria
Judge Sandra Davis
Judge Sandra Davis has been a County Court judge since October 2004 sitting in both criminal and common law divisions. Before that she was a Deputy President at VCAT for 6 years and before that a barrister and member of the Guardianship and Administration Board.
County Court of Victoria
Judge Sandra Davis
Judge Sandra Davis has been a County Court judge since October 2004 sitting in both criminal and common law divisions. Before that she was a Deputy President at VCAT for 6 years and before that a barrister and member of the Guardianship and Administration Board.
Magistrates' Court of Victoria
Magistrate Fiona Hayes
Magistrate Fiona Hayes has served as a magistrate in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria for over 15 years. She was appointed to the court in 2007 and served in the Gippsland region from 2008 to 2018. In January 2018, she returned to the Melbourne Magistrates' Court as the Supervising Magistrate for the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal. In 2020, she was appointed as the Judicial Lead Magistrate for Wellbeing within the Magistrates' Court.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Magistrate Hayes worked as a solicitor in private practice and government roles. She has experience in a wide range of areas, including criminal law, equal opportunity law, mental health law, immigration law, and civil law.
Magistrates' Court of Victoria
Magistrate Fiona Hayes
Magistrate Fiona Hayes has served as a magistrate in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria for over 15 years. She was appointed to the court in 2007 and served in the Gippsland region from 2008 to 2018. In January 2018, she returned to the Melbourne Magistrates' Court as the Supervising Magistrate for the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal. In 2020, she was appointed as the Judicial Lead Magistrate for Wellbeing within the Magistrates' Court.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Magistrate Hayes worked as a solicitor in private practice and government roles. She has experience in a wide range of areas, including criminal law, equal opportunity law, mental health law, immigration law, and civil law.