Appointment of Chief Judge Advocate Instrument 2020 (Cth)

Appointment of Chief Judge Advocate Instrument 2020

I, MICHAEL JOHN SLATTERY, Judge Advocate General, make the following notifiable instrument for the purpose of section 188A(4)(a) and (b) of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982.

Dated: 24 August 2020

Signed by

MICHAEL JOHN SLATTERY AM, RAN Judge Advocate General

Contents

1 Name 2 2 Commencement 2 3 Selection Criteria 2 4 Selection Process 5

1 Name This instrument is the Appointment of Chief Judge Advocate Instrument 2020.

2 Commencement This instrument commences on 24 August 2020.

3 Selection Criteria By this instrument I determine that the following criteria will apply to the selection of a person for appointment under s 188A of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 to the position of Chief Judge Advocate (the position). To be successful in this position a candidate will need to meet the following selection criteria. 1. Legal Knowledge and Experience. The successful candidate for the position will have: 1. Substantial trial and preferably appellate advocacy experience, appearing before higher courts in serious and complex criminal casework (or judicial or other experience giving equivalent competence in the conduct of challenging criminal trials). 2. Attained a high level of professional achievement and effectiveness in military law, criminal law, the law of evidence and the application of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, particularly the law and rules of procedure governing the conduct of courts martial and Defence Force magistrate (DFM) trials. 3. Sound experience, knowledge and understanding of the law and its application in these fields, including sentencing principles, to a standard that befits a judicial officer discharging functions and duties equivalent to those of a County or District Court judge and a demonstrated ability to understand and apply standard trial directions. 4. Demonstrated service knowledge and an understanding of the requirement for maintaining discipline in the ADF. 5. Some experience in and aptitude for legislative reform and legal policy development. 2. Leadership and Management. The successful candidate for the position will have: 1. A demonstrated ability for organisational leadership, for the intellectual leadership of other lawyers, and for governance, management and administration in either the public or private sectors, with at least some experience in the public sector. 2. A demonstrated ability to appear before high level forums, such as Parliamentary Committees and senior leadership groups, and to present oral and written briefings at this level. 3. A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to deliver effective results. 4. Some experience in and aptitude for implementing reform and a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement. 3. Skills and Abilities of a Judicial Officer. The successful candidate for the position will have demonstrated standards that befit a judicial officer discharging functions and duties equivalent to those of a County or District Court judge including: 1. Intellectual and Analytical Ability. o The ability to concentrate for long periods, to understand and assimilate facts and arguments, and the ability to recall evidence and information speedily and accurately. o The ability to identify the issues in question and analyse the facts relevant to those issues. o The ability to apply legal principles to particular facts and to determine from a large body of information those issues and facts which are relevant and legally important and those which are not. o The ability by intellectual analysis of the matters in issue to reduce unnecessary contests and to deploy case management techniques to reduce delay in the conduct of trials. 2. Sound judgement. o The ability to exercise judicial discretion effectively. o The ability to apply his or her knowledge and common sense to make decisions which are consistent with the evidence and in compliance with the law. o The ability to consider competing arguments and to reason logically to a correct and balanced conclusion. 3. Decisiveness. o The ability to reach firm conclusions (often quickly), to think, decide and act independently of others, and to rely on his/her own judgment. 4. Communication Skills. o The ability to communicate effectively, giving instructions and explaining complex issues and setting out legally sound reasons for reaching decisions clearly and concisely, both orally and, where necessary, in writing. o The ability to direct a court martial panel correctly on the legal issues arising for determination and to relate these issues to an accurate summary of the facts. o When sitting as a DFM the ability to give clear reasons for findings, and, where relevant for sentence. o The ability to clearly explain sentencing principles to a court martial panel and to relate these to the facts and the sentences available for the court's consideration. o The ability to represent the administration of justice in the ADF with well-judged communication and in doing so to prepare timely written briefs or advices to the Minister, the CDF, the Associate Secretary, the JAG and other senior members of the Department on disciplinary and related matters. 5. Authority. o The ability to command the respect of court users and to maintain fair minded discipline in court and chambers, with appropriate bearing and composure. o The ability to promote and effect the expeditious dispatch of business. 6. Information Technology. o The ability to use, or familiarity with, modern information technology or the capacity to attain the same. 7. Judicial Education. o The willingness to participate in and lead ongoing judicial education. o The ability to provide high level technical training in military law. 4. Personal Qualities. The successful candidate for the position will possess the following personal qualities: 1. Integrity. o A demonstrated history of honesty and discretion in their personal and professional life, so to protect both their reputation as a judicial officer and that of the judiciary within the ADF. o Independence of mind and moral courage and a willingness to take, maintain and enforce unpopular or unpleasant decisions when necessary, so as to enhance respect for the judiciary within the ADF. o They will have generated the trust, confidence and respect of others. 2. Fairness and Impartiality. o They will be open minded and objective, having the ability to recognise and deal appropriately with any matter that has the capacity to interfere with the proper observance of the judicial oath to act without fear or favour, affection or ill will. o They will deal impartially with all matters which come before them and will seek to ensure that all who appear before them have an opportunity for their case to be clearly presented and that it is then considered as fully and dispassionately as possible, so as to maintain public confidence in the administration of justice within the ADF. 3. Understanding the Requirements of Discipline in a Disciplined Force. o They will have knowledge and understanding of, and respect for men and women from all ranks of the ADF. o They will understand the Service environment and the requirements of discipline in a disciplined force. 4. Maturity and Sound Temperament. o They will display a maturity of attitude and approach to the conduct of in-court duties and out-of-court administration. o They will when required be firm and decisive while remaining patient, tolerant, good humoured and even tempered. 5. Courtesy and Humanity. o They will be courteous and considerate to all court users and court staff. 6. Commitment. o They will be committed to the proper and efficient administration of justice, which they will pursue conscientiously with energy and diligence.