Overview
Judges preside over civil and criminal proceedings in courts of law.
Day-to-day
- researches statutes and previous court decisions relevant to cases
- conducts trials and hearings
- hears and evaluates arguments and evidence in civil and criminal summary matters
- decides penalties and sentences within statutory limits, such as fines, bonds and detention, awarding damages in civil matters, and issuing court orders
- exercises arbitral powers if resolution is not achieved or seems improbable through conciliation
- advises government of legal, constitutional and parliamentary matters and drafts bills and attends committee meetings during consideration of bills
- advises agents on legal and technical matters.
Considerations
- Stressful
To become a Judge
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Judges are usually appointed by a State or Federal Governor or Attorney-General. To be eligible, you need to have completed a law degree and have been licensed to practise law for a minimum of eight years.
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Registration or licencing may be required.