Functions and duties of the judicial registrar - Court of Appeal position at the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Position description
Judicial registrar Appointment – Court of Appeal
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Honourable Richard Niall, seeks expressions of interest from qualified persons for appointment as a judicial registrar of the Supreme Court.
Judicial registrars are members of the Court, appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Attorney-General. All expressions of interest are treated confidentially.
The appointee will be assigned to undertake duties in the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Victora. The appointee will be responsible for:
- the preliminary examination of all civil applications
- appeals made to the Court of Appeal
- questions in matters referred to the Court of Appeal
- and taking action for the efficient and expeditious dispatch of applications and appeals.
The judicial registrar will also be responsible for:
- the preliminary examination of all criminal applications
- appeals under Parts 6.3 and 6.4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009
- petitions of mercy referred to the Court of Appeal, and
- taking action for the efficient and expeditious dispatch of applications and appeals.
The position requires a legally qualified (admitted for not less than 5 years), highly motivated leader with relevant and outstanding professional experience and a demonstrated understanding of court processes.
It also requires superior communication skills, and the ability to make timely decisions according to law.
The position is located in Melbourne. Further information is available below.
Enquiries can be made to Viv Mahy, Executive Associate to the Chief Justice at ivi.znul@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@yham.viv
Expressions of interest, marked ‘Private and Confidential’, should be addressed to:
The Honourable Chief Justice Richard Niall
Supreme Court of Victoria
210 William Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Or can be sent to Viv Mahy: ivi.znul@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@yham.viv
All expression of interest must be received by no later than close of business on 2 March 2025.
The Registrar of the Court of Appeal is responsible for the preliminary examination of all civil applications appeals made to the Court of Appeal, questions in matters referred to the Court of Appeal, and taking action for the efficient and expeditious dispatch of applications and appeals, including:
- the listing of applications and appeals
- referring applications, including for leave to appeal, to a single Judge of Appeal, for determination as to whether there will be an oral hearing before a single judge or the referral of the application for the determination by the Court of Appeal constituted by two or more Judges of Appeal
- giving directions regarding the preparation of application books and appeal books
- conducting directions hearings when appropriate
- publishing notes for guidance on the management of applications and appeals
- making procedural orders or directions in relation to applications for leave and appeals
- hearing and determining applications referred by a Judge of Appeal
- making orders for costs
- granting leave to amend a notice of appeal, application, or written case
- extending or abridging time
- making referral orders to the Victorian Bar Pro Bono Legal Assistance Scheme in appropriate cases, and
- having input on draft Rules and amendments to the existing Rules and Practice Notes.
The Registrar may also be assigned duties by the President of the Court of Appeal.
Registrar of Criminal Appeals
The Registrar of Criminal Appeals is responsible for preliminary examination of all criminal applications, appeals under Parts 6.3 and 6.4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 and petitions of mercy referred to the Court of Appeal and taking action for the efficient and expeditious dispatch of applications and appeals including:
- the listing of applications and appeals
- referring applications, including for leave to appeal, to a single Judge of Appeal to determine or the referral of the application for the determination by the Court of Appeal constituted by two or more Judges of Appeal
- giving directions for the preparation of applications and appeals
- conducting directions hearings when appropriate
- preparation of summaries for the appeal
- hearing and determining applications referred by a Judge of Appeal
- notification of parties
- granting leave to amend a notice of appeal, application or written case
- extending or abridging time
- making referral orders to the Victorian Bar Pro Bono Legal Assistance Scheme in appropriate cases, and
- having input on draft Rules and amendments to the existing Rules and Practice Notes.
Judicial registrar
Judicial registrars have jurisdiction in a range of civil matters under Order 84 of Chapter 1 of the Rules and as noted above may conduct directions hearings in criminal matters under the Criminal Procedure Act 2009.
Judicial registrars may be assigned duties by the Chief Justice. The judicial registrar who is assigned the duties of Registrar of the Court of Appeal and Registrar of Criminal Appeals may also be assigned additional duties from time to time including:
- undertaking the specialist duties of another judicial registrar in their absence
- leading or being a member of internal or external committees, and
- leading or participating in Court reform projects.