Do you feel burdened by the number of judgments you have to write? Are your judgments and rulings getting longer and more complex?
Learn how to step off the judicial writing treadmill – and liberate time to focus on other aspects of the judicial role.
In this 2-day experiential workshop, you will learn from judge-educators and eminent writers to hone your judgment writing techniques to become more efficient and effective. Participants will develop a range of effective ways to write tightly structured, precise and accessible decisions that use language that is clear for your intended readers.
- write clearly, concisely, and efficiently
- utilise narrative structure and voice effectively
- apply frameworks for writing and structuring judgments.
Faculty
The Hon. Kim Hargrave, Supreme Court of Victoria, will lead the faculty, which includes:
- Justice Maree Kennedy, Supreme Court of Victoria
- Justice Kristen Walker, Supreme Court of Victoria
- Justice Cameron Macaulay, Supreme Court of Victoria
- Justice Paul Cosgrave, Supreme Court of Victoria
- Judge Fiona Todd, County Court of Victoria
Note: This event is open to Supreme and County Court judges only and will be held again in August 2024 for judicial officers from all jurisdictions. Details for the August event are available here.
Keynote speaker.
Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia
The Hon Justice Debra Mortimer
In April 2023, Justice Debra Mortimer was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia. Chief Justice Mortimer is the fifth Chief Justice and the first female Chief Justice of the Federal Court. She was previously a judge of the Federal Court since 2013. During this time she was a National Co-ordinating Judge in the Court’s Native Title National Practice Area. Until 2021 she was also a National Co-ordinating Judge in the Administrative and Constitutional Law and Human Rights Practice Area, and a Migration Liaison Judge.
Prior to her appointments, Chief Justice Mortimer was a member of the Victorian Bar and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2003. Her practice included public law, anti-discrimination law, extradition and environmental law, and in all areas she acted for both applicants and respondents, for and against government, in state and federal jurisdictions including in the High Court. She had a substantial public interest practice and was involved in many ground-breaking cases over her 24 years at the Bar.
Chief Justice Mortimer remains a Senior Fellow at Melbourne Law School, a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies at Melbourne Law School, and a member of Board of Advisers for the Public Law Review.
Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia
The Hon Justice Debra Mortimer
In April 2023, Justice Debra Mortimer was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia. Chief Justice Mortimer is the fifth Chief Justice and the first female Chief Justice of the Federal Court. She was previously a judge of the Federal Court since 2013. During this time she was a National Co-ordinating Judge in the Court’s Native Title National Practice Area. Until 2021 she was also a National Co-ordinating Judge in the Administrative and Constitutional Law and Human Rights Practice Area, and a Migration Liaison Judge.
Prior to her appointments, Chief Justice Mortimer was a member of the Victorian Bar and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2003. Her practice included public law, anti-discrimination law, extradition and environmental law, and in all areas she acted for both applicants and respondents, for and against government, in state and federal jurisdictions including in the High Court. She had a substantial public interest practice and was involved in many ground-breaking cases over her 24 years at the Bar.
Chief Justice Mortimer remains a Senior Fellow at Melbourne Law School, a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies at Melbourne Law School, and a member of Board of Advisers for the Public Law Review.