Judicial competence and ensuring better support for the bench

Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network

Traditionally, the burden of judging has fallen to the individuals on the bench, and the profession and broader society have not taken responsibility for preparing and supporting them to do the important work required by the judiciary. So, what can be done?

In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with University of Western Australia lecturer Dr Jessica Kerr about her academic work and why it is so important, the lack of support that judicial officers have traditionally received in undertaking their roles and why, the flow-on consequences for judges, and the need to improve holistic judicial competence.

Kerr also delves into what we want and expect from the judiciary, the practical steps to be taken to improve judicial competence and elevate support for such officers, the stigma surrounding wanting to become a judge, and the need for a more diverse bench. She also touches on her experiences as a criminal magistrate in the Seychelles.

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