Australian GovernmentStudy Australia

Judges preside over civil and criminal proceedings in courts of law.

What the job involves

  • 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