Magistrate

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.

• 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