Information for Candidates

March 2015

Director Court Services

Director Court Services 2015

Content

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State Courts Administrator..........................................................................................3Purpose of the Position...............................................................................................4Reporting Relationships..............................................................................................4Key Challenges...........................................................................................................4Key Accountabilities....................................................................................................5Key Selection Criteria..................................................................................................6Essential Qualifications...............................................................................................6Special Conditions......................................................................................................7Offer of Employment...................................................................................................7How to Apply...............................................................................................................7Overview of the Courts Administration Authority.........................................................8CAA Organisational Business Plan 2013-2014...........................................................9Overview of the Courts Services Portfolio.................................................................10Courts Administration Authority Organisational Chart – October 2014.....................12

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Director Court Services 2015

State Courts Administrator

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From the

As the Courts Administration Authority works towards a new strategic plan the challenges facing our court systems are many. Technology is changing the way courts operate. Social issues are more complex. Justice comes at a price but funding is limited.

The Courts Administration Authority was established in 1993 under the Courts Administration Act 1993, as a statutory authority, independent of the legislative and executive arms of government.

The role and function of the Authority may be understood by reference to its aims, values and stated objectives, which are outlined in this document.

The Authority employs around 620 members of staff (excluding judicial officers), who work in diverse areas across the organisation, in metropolitan and country locations.

Together, we have earned the distinction of being “the site of some of the most innovative client service and community involvement measures in Australia*”.

As an organisation, we value the Judiciary as an independent arm of government. We value quality of justice, service to the community, our people and the pursuit of excellence.

The Director Court Services is a person who shares these values and wants to join a team of professionals operating at the highest possible standards.

The Director Court Services will possess capabilities that support the operation of the Court Services Division comprising the Magistrates, Coroner’s and Youth Courts.

Julie-Anne BurgessState Courts Administrator

*The Governance of Australia’s Courts: A managerial perspective - Australian Institute of Judicial Administration 2004 p91 (ISBN 1-875527-46-X)

Director Court Services 2015

Purpose of the Position

The Director Court Services provides complex strategic and operational direction on non-judicial matters of practice and procedure to the Court Services Division comprising the Magistrates, Coroner’s and Youth Courts. This responsibility is exercised in conjunction with the Chief Magistrate and Magistracy, the Senior Judge of the Youth Court and the State Coroner who are responsible for the judicial activities of the respective Courts.

The Director Court Services will also be appointed Principal Registrar of the Magistrates Court pursuant to section 13 of the Magistrates Court Act 1991 and as such is responsible to the Chief Magistrate for the non-judicial administration of the court.

Reporting Relationships

The Director Court Services, in relation to the performance and discharge of functions and duties (so far as they relate to the business of the Court), is subject to the control and direction of the Chief Magistrate, the State Coroner and the Senior Judge for the Youth Court. The Director Court Services reports to the State Courts Administrator for all other purposes and is a key member of the CAA Executive Management Team.

The Director Court Services is accountable for the effective leadership and management of Court Services Division and has responsibility for a large staff group with multiple functions, and is supported by a number of positions in the exercise of these duties. The Court Services Division has a staffing of 243 full time equivalents.

The Director currently has a total of six FTE direct reports.

The Director Court Services has regular contact with staff in Magistrates Courts at locations across the state of South Australia.

Key Challenges

Court ClosuresIn March 2015, following a review of budget the State Courts Administration Council announced court closures impacting the Magistrates Court. The Holden Hill Court will close by September 2015; Mount Barker and Tanunda Magistrates courts will convert to and operate as circuit courts with no full time registries.

The Director Court Services will be accountable for ensuring the successful implementation of these decisions.

Strategic DirectionsThe CAA is currently working with the State Courts Administration Council on a strategic vision. Significant within this vision is the introduction of new services and methods of interaction between the Court, the legal profession and other court users.

The Director Court Services will play an integral role in the leadership and delivery of this court reform.

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Director Court Services 2015

Criminal Justice Reform CouncilThe Criminal Justice Reform Council (CJRC) is chaired by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Reform. The CJRC was established to foster Criminal Justice Sector collaboration, discussion and continual improvement whilst acknowledging the pressures on each agency.

The Director Court Services plays an important role as the CAA Executive representative on various reform initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Court Services Division with an emphasis on the operations of the courts and the justice system to achieve a high level of service delivery and administrative services for the Chief Magistrate, the State Coroner, Senior Judge of the Youth Court and other stakeholders including court users.

Provide leadership and direction on the core operational, administrative and technical aspects of court practices and procedures to ensure continuous improvement for effective service delivery of the Magistrates, Coroner’s and Youth Courts.

Drive continuous improvement and change reform in all aspects of courts administration and ensure regular consultation with Judicial Officers, staff and other stakeholders for the implementation of court improvement strategies.

Provide high-level interpretation and advice on legislative matters, and make recommendations on statutory and other matters impacting on the Court, its staff and court users.

Develop future strategies, and lead the improvement and modernisation of systems and processes within Court Services and associated registries to ensure high quality services.

Build and maintain internal and external relationships, and establish consultative links with relevant bodies at a senior level.

Drive strategic and business planning, performance measurement and reporting for the Court Services.

Ensure effective and accountable use of resources through appropriate human resource, budget, financial and procurement practices.

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Director Court Services 2015

Key Selection Criteria

1. Highly developed personal skills, including, integrity, diplomacy, initiative, judgment and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with members of the judiciary, the legal profession, the public and Court staff at all levels. Ability to represent the Court as required.

2. Highly developed leadership skills including the ability to impart knowledge, influence opinions, and motivate and support multidisciplinary teams across the Division.

3. Demonstrated capacity to operate and act decisively in an environment of ambiguity, and to provide direction to others at times of uncertainty and change.

4. A commitment to build stong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

5. Demonstrated experience at a senior level in managing a multi-disciplinary/multi-functional operation in a legal environment.

6. Significant experience in providing interpretation and direction on complex legislative instruments, and particularly the application of legislation, court rules, practice directions and procedures as they pertain to courts functions.

7. A comprehensive knowledge of current approaches to court administration, including information technology applications and their relevance in a court environment, with a demonstrated understanding of the function and administrative procedures of courts.

Essential Qualifications

An appropriate tertiary qualification in Law, Business Administration, Public Administration or any related discipline relevant to the performance of the duties of this role.

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Director Court Services 2015

Special Conditions

The following special conditions apply to this position:

Engagement is in accordance with section 18 and section 21B of the Courts Administration Act 1993. The position occupies the role of Principal Registrar of the Magistrates Court, which is a prescribed position as per Schedule 2 of the Courts Administration Regulations 2008. Terms and conditions of employment are otherwise governed by the Public Sector Act, 2009.

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory child related employment screening (National Criminal History Record Check) prior to employment, and subsequently, every three years.

Offer of Employment

An attractive Executive salary package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

The salary package will be offered within the Executive B Remuneration level (currently $186,395 / $237,405 (inclusive of 9.5% superannuation)).

The successful candidate will be appointed on a contract offered for a fixed term of up to five years with the possibility of renewal.

How to Apply

Applications for this position should include the following:

1. A cover application letter of no more than three pages indicating your suitability for the role.

2. A full CV containing the following information:

Title, full name, address, telephone, mobile, and email address; Citizenship or country of permanent residence; Present and previous roles; Qualifications; and Any other relevant information, such as offices held in professional bodies,

community service etc.

Applications to: Applications are to be submitted online by visiting CAA website http://www.courts.sa.gov.au/Employment.

When submitting your application via the CAA Website please quote ‘2630/2015 – Your Surname’ in the subject line of the email.

Closing date for applications is 5 pm Friday 10 April 2015.

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Director Court Services 2015

Overview of the Courts Administration Authority

Governance

The State Courts Administration Council was established under the Courts Administration Act 1993 (SA). The CAA is a Statutory Authority, independent of the executive government. The Council is chaired by the Chief Justice and the State Courts Administrator is the Council’s Chief Executive Officer. The function of the Council is to provide the administrative facilities and services for the courts of the state.

Purpose

To provide participating courts and court users with services and facilities that supports the administration of justice.

Values

Our values are:

Service – customer focus, responsive, timelyIntegrity – honest, objective, fair, ethical Respect – courteous, impartial, considerateProfessionalism – proficient, skilful, accountable

Strategic Directions

Goals

OUR PEOPLE

Develop a valued, engaged, skilled and performance focused workforce

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Continuously improve delivery of services

OPTIMISE TECHNOLOGY

Utilise technology as an enabler of service excellence

IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE

Provide appropriate infrastructure to support our people, the courts and service delivery

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Director Court Services 2015

CAA Organisational Business Plan 2013-2014

The purpose of the CAA is to provide courts and courts users with services and facilities that support the administration of justice. To successfully deliver on our purpose into the future, the CAA must actively respond to changes resulting from justice sector reform, decreased financial resourcing and increased digital service delivery. Our values of service, integrity, respect and professionalism will continue to be the guiding principles for how we will deliver our purpose for the community of South Australia.

To achieve our purpose, we are focusing on four key themes for 2013-2014 in the organisational business plan:

1. Justice sector reform Contribute our knowledge and expertise to major reform initiatives in the justice

sector

2. Reforming our operations Develop and implement innovative and improved ways of delivering our services

3. An ethical and safe organisation Demonstrate ongoing commitment and improvement in ethical and safe work

practices in the CAA

4. Sustainable courts Manage our budgets and resources with a focus on ensuring sustainable courts into

the future

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OUR CAAProvide courts

and courts users with

services and facilities that support the

administration of justice

Justice sector reform

Reforming our

operations

An ethical and safe

organisation

Sustainable courts

Director Court Services 2015

Overview of the Courts Services Portfolio

The Court Services Division of the Courts Administration Authority is established to provide administrative services to the Magistrates Court, Youth Court and Coroner’s Court in the administration of justice.

The Court Services Division seeks to provide these Courts and Court users with services and facilities in accordance with the purpose, values and strategic goals of the Courts Administration Authority.

The Courts to which the Court Services Division provides services and facilities exercise a broad range of jurisdictions. It comprises:

Provision of services and support to: Magistrates Courts Coroner’s Court Youth Court

Court Intervention programs Aboriginal Programs

The Courts Services Division provides the following essential services:

Registry and client services to court users Support staff and services to all Magistrate, Coroner’s and Youth Courts judicial

officers

The Magistrates Court of South Australia

The Magistrates Court deals efficiently with the overwhelming bulk of civil and criminal litigation in this State. All criminal matters begin in the Magistrates Court and the civil jurisdiction hears in excess of 90 per cent of all civil disputes within the State. In doing so, the Magistrates Court regularly sits at various locations across the State, including the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, in order to provide access to justice to the South Australian community.

The Magistrates Court has four jurisdictions: Civil (General Claims), Civil (Minor Claims), Civil (Consumer and Business) jurisdiction and the criminal jurisdiction. In its criminal jurisdiction, the Magistrates Court deals with summary offences, minor indictable offences, major indictable offences pre-committal and, with the commencement of the Statutes Amendment (Courts Efficiency Reforms) Act 2012 on 1 July 2013, may sentence defendants for admitted major indictable offences in certain circumstances.

The Magistrates Court deals with a diverse range of Court users and has adapted process and procedure to assist in servicing the special needs of various groups. The Magistrates Court operates Aboriginal Sentencing Courts and Conferences in various locations and Aboriginal Justice Officers assist Indigenous people on all Court-related matters. Intervention programs operate in the Magistrates Court and Youth Court in areas related to substance abuse, mental impairment and abuse prevention to reduce re-offending and improve health and social functioning by providing defendants with access to treatment and other services that address the underlying causes of their offending.

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Director Court Services 2015

The Youth Court of South Australia

The Youth Court of South Australia incorporates Adelaide Youth Court and all suburban and regional Youth Courts across the State as well as the Conferencing Unit, which conferences care and protection and juvenile justice matters. The Youth Court administers several Acts, including the Young Offenders Act 1993, Adoption Act 1988, Youth Court Act 1993, Children’s Protection Act 1993 and Statutes Amendment (Surrogacy) Act 2009. The Court exercises criminal jurisdiction for offenders aged from 10 to 17 years for all charges except murder and manslaughter or where, because of the gravity of the offence or a pattern of repeated offending, the Court determines that the young person should be dealt with as an adult.

The Court exercises a civil jurisdiction in applications for the care and protection of children. The Court may make investigation and assessment orders and care and protection orders for up to a year and, in some cases, may place a child under the guardianship of the relevant Minister until the child attains the age of 18. The Court also hears applications for the adoption of children and applications for surrogacy orders.

The Conferencing Unit conducts family conferences, family care meetings, victim impact meetings and Aboriginal conferences in various metropolitan and regional areas.

The Coroner’s Court

The Coroner’s Court is responsible for investigating deaths that are reportable pursuant to the Coroners Act 2003. “Reportable deaths” include those occurring from unexpected, unnatural, violent or unknown cause, within 24 hours of surgical and certain other medical procedures, within 24 hours of discharge from an emergency department or hospital, whilst a person is in custody or detained under any other Act, and of protected persons. A relevant Minister or agency is required to report on action taken in response to findings and recommendations made on an inquest into a death in custody.

The Coroner’s Court sits at Adelaide and may sit at other locations within the State in undertaking inquests into reportable deaths.

While these Courts exercise a broad range of different jurisdictions, there is much commonality in the services required to be provided by staff of the Court Services Division in support of these Courts. Court users must be dealt with promptly, courteously and effectively, being responsive to cultural differences, and administrative processes are designed to afford Court users access to justice and to support public confidence in the operation of the justice system.

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Director Court Services 2015

Courts Administration Authority Organisational Chart – October 2014

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State Courts Administration Council

Chief JusticeChief Judge

Chief Magistrate

State Courts Administrator Executive Management Committee

Higher Courts Court Services Corporate Services

Supreme Court

District Court

Environment, Resources and Development Court

Court Transcription Services

CAA Library Services

Sheriff’s Office

Magistrates Court

Intervention Programs

Youth Court

Conferencing Unit

Coroners Court

Aboriginal Programs

Information Technology Services

Business & Financial Services

Human Resources

Facilities Management

Media & Communications