The Ideal Judge

This Project aims to investigate expectations of judges and judging that underpin confidence in the judiciary. The Project will interrogate how significant and under-utilised resources, judicial swearing-in ceremonies, expose changing perceptions of the essential attributes of judges (both professional and personal) and of judging in Australian Supreme Courts. The Projects expected outcomes include revealing the different ways governments, lawyers and judges perceive these attributes; the gendered ramifications of these perceptions; and variations over time and geography. The anticipated benefit is to inform public debate regarding the ideal attributes of judges and judging that are essential to maintaining and building public confidence.