The Attorney General was asked about complaints regarding magistrates' conduct during VRO applications and training provided to sensitise them to applicants' circumstances. The response refers complaints to the Head of Jurisdiction and notes ongoing professional development.

AnsweredQoN 2145Legislative Council
Asked
23 October 2014
Portfolio
Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Has the Attorney General received any complaints about magistrates making inappropriate comments during violence restraining order (VRO) applications or hearings, with or without respondents present? (2) If yes to (1), what are those complaints? (3) What training is provided to magistrates to sensitise them to the applicant’s circumstances or feelings raised in VRO hearings?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
20 November 2014
Response time
28 days
(1) Persons making complaints to my office regarding judicial conduct are referred to the relevant Head of Jurisdiction according to the protocol for handling judicial complaints.
(2) Statistics about specific types of complaints are not kept by my office.
(3) I am advised that magistrates undertake ongoing professional development through their annual conference which has included restraining orders in at least the last three years.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more