Judicial Commissions Act 2024

The council has the following functions:to receive complaints in relation to judicial officers; to examine complaints in relation to judicial officers; to refer certain complaints to a commission, the relevant head of jurisdiction or any other relevant reviewing or disciplinary entity; to make guidelines, in accordance with subsection (2); to give information and education about the process for complaints in relation to judicial officers; to provide recommendations in respect of professional development, education or training for judicial officers; any other function given to the council under this Act or any other Act.

The council may make guidelines in respect of the following matters:the practices and procedures of the council; the practices and procedures of a commission; the practices and procedures in relation to persons who are vulnerable, or persons with a disability, including but not limited to – the making of complaints under this Act; and the supports and adjustments that are to be offered in respect of a hearing, or other matter, under this Act; the procedures that may be used to determine, if required, the reasonable costs of a party including, but not limited to, by reference to rules, guidelines or other processes of one or more judicial entities; the factors that may be considered when determining whether a hearing under this Act should be held in public or in private; the roles and functions of a person or class of persons under this Act; any other matter in respect of which the council considers guidelines may be necessary or convenient.

The council is to ensure that guidelines made under subsection (2) – are published on a website that – is operated by, or on behalf of, the council; and is accessible by members of the public; and are published in any other manner that the council considers appropriate; and remain published under paragraph (a) while the guidelines remain in effect.

The council has all the powers necessary to perform its functions under this Act.