Judicial and Other Legal Professionals

Judicial and Other Legal Professionals hear legal and other matters in courts and tribunals; interpret, analyse, administer and provide advice on the law; and draft legislation.

**Indicative skill level:**

#### In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification and at least five years of relevant experience. Judges require appointment by the government or crown and must have been a Magistrate or an experienced legal practitioner of at least seven years standing. Magistrates must have been a legal practitioner of at least five years standing (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing may be required.

**Tasks include:**

- researching statutes and previous court decisions relevant to cases - conducting trials and hearings - calling and questioning witnesses - hearing and evaluating arguments and evidence in civil and criminal summary matters - deciding penalties and sentences within statutory limits, such as fines, bonds and detention, awarding damages in civil matters, and issuing court orders - exercising arbitral powers if resolution is not achieved or seems improbable through conciliation - preparing settlement memoranda and obtaining signatures of parties - advising government of legal, constitutional and parliamentary matters and drafting bills and attending committee meetings during consideration of bills - preparing advice on matters associated with intellectual property rights - advising clients and agents on legal and technical matters