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Judicial Education

Judicial College of Victoria

The Judicial College of Victoria (JCV) is an independent statutory authority set up to assist the professional development and continuing education of Victorian Judicial Officers.

The college keeps Victorian judges, magistrates and VCAT members:

• in touch with the community
• aware of pressing social issues
• in tune with technology
• and up-to-date with latest developments in the law.

It achieves this by developing and conducting judicial education programs, producing relevant publications and providing educational strategies addressing different learning preferences and styles.

Face-to-face programs

Face-to-face programs promote opportunities for Judicial Officers to learn from and with their peers in law and other disciplines. These cross-jurisdictional programs are generally conducted in small groups of no more than thirty. The programs are designed to be interactive and scenario-based to share knowledge and experience. They utilise peer support, experiential learning and reflective practice principles.

Judicial Officers Information Network

The Judicial Officers Information Network (JOIN) is a cross-jurisdictional intranet for Judicial Officers that includes JCV electronic bench books and manuals to increase the use of technology and the sharing of knowledge and information. This self-help resource uses technology to deliver knowledge and information in a user-friendly way.

Visits and field trips

Visits and field trips to correctional, forensic and rehabilitative facilities expand thinking and introduce different perspectives. 

Two-year induction framework for new appointees

To ease the transition from legal practice to Bench, the college has developed an induction framework that operates over first two years post-appointment. At the end of two years, new appointees are well equipped to perform their judicial functions competently and with confidence.

The college was established by the Judicial College of Victoria Act 2001. It commenced operation in November 2002 and was officially launched by the Attorney-General, The Hon. Rob Hulls and Chief Justice John Harber Phillips AC on 13 May 2003.