The close working relationship between judge and associate is a distinctive feature of judicial life. The relationship is generally highly prized and valued by both parties and has evolved without much formal assistance. But how do other judges manage their working life with associates? And what constitutes best-practice when managing staff?
Guided by senior judicial officers acting as judicial mentors, the Judicial Management Forum invites new judicial officers to learn management practices and principles from colleagues. You will have the opportunity to contribute to discussions about the legal and ethical obligations of the shared workplace including in relation to sexual harassment and bullying, and hear from former associates on their experience of the culture of courts.
Participants will take part in skills sessions that explore:
- allocating work and setting expectations
- giving and receiving feedback including good, difficult,
- constructive and timely feedback
- mentoring and establishing boundaries
- discussing cultural contexts
- debriefing after court and having tricky conversations.
Please note that this event is by invitation only.
If you have any enquiries please contact: education@judicialcollege.vic.edu.au
Facilitator.
Former Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner
Kristen Hilton
Kristen Hilton is a former Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner and has 20 years of legal, policy and advocacy experience specialising in equality law and human rights.
Having worked across public, private and community sectors, Kirsten has a deep expertise in gender equality, human rights, ethical leadership, diversity and inclusion and organisational change.
During Kristen’s five-year term as Commissioner, she led major independent reviews into sexual harassment and discrimination in Victoria Police and Victoria’s Fire Services as was an expert advisor into the Review of Sexual Harassment in Victorian Courts and VACT. In 2020 she commenced a multiyear year inquiry into workplace equality and diversity in Ambulance Victoria and recently completed a comprehensive Cultural Review of Victoria’s Corrections system.
Kristen convenes a number of groups as part of the Champions of Coalition across Australia and New Zealand promoting gender equality and is a board advisor to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, she was appointed to the Board of the AFL Players Association and is their inaugural Chair of the AFLPA’s Human Rights Steering Committee.
Kristen is a former Churchill fellow and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Former Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner
Kristen Hilton
Kristen Hilton is a former Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner and has 20 years of legal, policy and advocacy experience specialising in equality law and human rights.
Having worked across public, private and community sectors, Kirsten has a deep expertise in gender equality, human rights, ethical leadership, diversity and inclusion and organisational change.
During Kristen’s five-year term as Commissioner, she led major independent reviews into sexual harassment and discrimination in Victoria Police and Victoria’s Fire Services as was an expert advisor into the Review of Sexual Harassment in Victorian Courts and VACT. In 2020 she commenced a multiyear year inquiry into workplace equality and diversity in Ambulance Victoria and recently completed a comprehensive Cultural Review of Victoria’s Corrections system.
Kristen convenes a number of groups as part of the Champions of Coalition across Australia and New Zealand promoting gender equality and is a board advisor to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, she was appointed to the Board of the AFL Players Association and is their inaugural Chair of the AFLPA’s Human Rights Steering Committee.
Kristen is a former Churchill fellow and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Speakers.
Supreme Court of Victoria
Associate Justice Mary-Jane Ierodiaconou
Prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court in 2015, Associate Justice Ierodiaconou practiced in employment, discrimination, and sexual harassment law for almost two decades.In addition to acting for clients in litigious matters and drafting policies and procedures, Her Honour provided workplace training on prevention of sexual harassment – at law firms this often occurred in the weeks prior to the work Christmas party! Her Honour conducted independent investigations into sexual harassment complaints for government and the private sector both in Australia and beyond.
Her Honour was a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Council, and during that time, the Chair of its Diversity Committee, where she participated in policy and practical initiatives to promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the legal profession.
Associate Justice Ierodiaconou has published extensively on discrimination law, including articles on sexual harassment.
Supreme Court of Victoria
Associate Justice Mary-Jane Ierodiaconou
Prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court in 2015, Associate Justice Ierodiaconou practiced in employment, discrimination, and sexual harassment law for almost two decades.In addition to acting for clients in litigious matters and drafting policies and procedures, Her Honour provided workplace training on prevention of sexual harassment – at law firms this often occurred in the weeks prior to the work Christmas party! Her Honour conducted independent investigations into sexual harassment complaints for government and the private sector both in Australia and beyond.
Her Honour was a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Council, and during that time, the Chair of its Diversity Committee, where she participated in policy and practical initiatives to promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the legal profession.
Associate Justice Ierodiaconou has published extensively on discrimination law, including articles on sexual harassment.
County Court of Victoria
Deputy Chief Judge Meryl Sexton
Deputy Chief Judge Sexton was appointed as a Judge of the County Court of Victoria in 2001. Her Honour was appointed as the inaugural Deputy Chief Judge of the County Court on 22 February 2022. Her Honour began her legal career in criminal law, having first appeared in criminal trials in 1987. In 1995 she was appointed as a Crown Prosecutor in the Office of Public Prosecutions, a position held until her appointment to the bench. Deputy Chief Judge Sexton lectures extensively on the practice and procedure of criminal law to a variety of groups, particularly in relation to sexual offences, and the evidence of children.
County Court of Victoria
Deputy Chief Judge Meryl Sexton
Deputy Chief Judge Sexton was appointed as a Judge of the County Court of Victoria in 2001. Her Honour was appointed as the inaugural Deputy Chief Judge of the County Court on 22 February 2022. Her Honour began her legal career in criminal law, having first appeared in criminal trials in 1987. In 1995 she was appointed as a Crown Prosecutor in the Office of Public Prosecutions, a position held until her appointment to the bench. Deputy Chief Judge Sexton lectures extensively on the practice and procedure of criminal law to a variety of groups, particularly in relation to sexual offences, and the evidence of children.
County Court of Victoria
Judge Gavan Meredith
Judge Gavan Meredith was admitted to practice in 1985 and was a solicitor for approximately 10 years before coming to the Bar in 1995. His Honour was appointed a Judge of the County Court in 2013, and in keeping with his area of practice has sat in the criminal jurisdiction of the County Court since his appointment.
County Court of Victoria
Judge Gavan Meredith
Judge Gavan Meredith was admitted to practice in 1985 and was a solicitor for approximately 10 years before coming to the Bar in 1995. His Honour was appointed a Judge of the County Court in 2013, and in keeping with his area of practice has sat in the criminal jurisdiction of the County Court since his appointment.
County Court of Victoria
Judge Trevor Wraight
Judge Trevor Wraight was appointed as a judge of the County Court of Victoria in 2017. Before his appointment Judge Wraight had more than 20 years’ experience as a legal practitioner, specialising in criminal law, occupational health and safety, coronial inquiries, and professional disciplinary matters. Judge Wraight was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1995 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2014. Before appointment His Honour appeared in many high-profile cases and has extensive experience in trial and appellate advocacy in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. At the County Court of Victoria Judge Wraight is an active member of numerous judicial committees and sits in crime lists and in the County Koori Court.
County Court of Victoria
Judge Trevor Wraight
Judge Trevor Wraight was appointed as a judge of the County Court of Victoria in 2017. Before his appointment Judge Wraight had more than 20 years’ experience as a legal practitioner, specialising in criminal law, occupational health and safety, coronial inquiries, and professional disciplinary matters. Judge Wraight was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1995 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2014. Before appointment His Honour appeared in many high-profile cases and has extensive experience in trial and appellate advocacy in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. At the County Court of Victoria Judge Wraight is an active member of numerous judicial committees and sits in crime lists and in the County Koori Court.
County Court of Victoria
Judge David Sexton
Judge David Sexton was appointed a Judge of the County Court of Victoria in 2018. In addition to sitting in the Criminal Trial Division, his Honour is a Deputy Head of the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court, a coordinating Judge of the County Court CISP (supported Bail) program, and regularly sits in the County Koori Court. Prior to his appointment as a judge, his Honour was a Barrister in criminal law, specialising in sexual offences. His Honour has extensive involvement in advocacy teaching and has been a senior Instructor with the Victorian Bar and the Australian Advocacy Institute. He has undertaken advocacy training for lawyers interstate, in the Pacific, and at the International Criminal Court in the Hague and also lectured in this area at Monash University.
County Court of Victoria
Judge David Sexton
Judge David Sexton was appointed a Judge of the County Court of Victoria in 2018. In addition to sitting in the Criminal Trial Division, his Honour is a Deputy Head of the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court, a coordinating Judge of the County Court CISP (supported Bail) program, and regularly sits in the County Koori Court. Prior to his appointment as a judge, his Honour was a Barrister in criminal law, specialising in sexual offences. His Honour has extensive involvement in advocacy teaching and has been a senior Instructor with the Victorian Bar and the Australian Advocacy Institute. He has undertaken advocacy training for lawyers interstate, in the Pacific, and at the International Criminal Court in the Hague and also lectured in this area at Monash University.