Magistrates' Court of Victoria adopts International Framework for Court Excellence
Progress to date
In September 2009 the Court commenced a program to apply the International Framework for Court Excellence to its policy and operations. The following activities have taken place as part of this ongoing work:
- October 2009 – Justice Brian Preston, Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court NSW, visited the Court discuss his experience with implementing the Framework
- March 2010 – Magistrates considered the Framework at the Council of Magistrates Conference
- April-July 2010 – the Court completed the Framework’s self-assessment exercise
A group of over 50 Magistrates and senior administrators participated in the self-assessment exercise, representing the leadership of the Court. In this activity the Court’s performance against the seven key areas of excellence identified by the Framework was assessed for ‘approach’, ‘deployment’ and ‘results’. The outcomes of the assessment were discussed in meetings with the participants, producing a consensus view of the Court’s progress in achieving excellence in court administration.
The activity has established a baseline assessment against which future progress can be measured when the exercise is conducted again in the future. The outcomes will also inform the future strategic development priorities of the Court. Updates on progress with application of the Framework will be posted regularly.
Background
The International Framework for Court Excellence has been developed to assist courts to improve court performance and identify and deliver quality court services. Developed by the 'International Consortium for Court Excellence', a group comprised of representatives from the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA), the Federal Judicial Centre (USA), the National Centre for State Courts (USA), the Subordinate Courts of Singapore, the European Commissions for the Efficiency for Justice (CEPEJ) and the World Bank, the Framework for Court Excellence was officially unveiled in Australia in September 2008.
The Framework reflects the extensive body of research and work that has been undertaken globally in recent years in relation to court performance evaluation. It is the product of international attempts to identify a process for achieving court excellence regardless of the location or size of a court or the resources or technology available to it.
The International Framework for Court Excellence provides a set of values and concepts and also incorporates case studies, court performance improvement processes and a self assessment tool which uses seven aspects of 'court excellence' as the basis for measuring and improving court performance and quality:
- Court Management and Leadership
- Court Policies
- Human, Material and Financial Resources
- Court Proceedings
- Client Needs and Satisfaction
- Affordable and Accessible Court Services
- Public Trust and Confidence.
Each of these is linked to core values identified as being common to many or most courts. These values are:
- equality
- fairness
- impartiality
- independence of decision making
- competence
- integrity
- transparency
- accessibility
- timeliness and certainty.
I have watched with interest the development of the International Framework for Court Excellence and consider it an excellent tool to assist courts to establish a comprehensive framework for performance measurement and evaluation. Together with the CEO, I have endorsed adoption of the core values and principles embodied by the Framework by the Court and plans are currently underway for the Court to undertake a self assessment against the Framework.
Reviewing court procedures, administration, and performance on a regular basis, as contemplated by the Framework, is a necessary part of the court providing self-oversight. By guiding the court in setting and measuring standards to promote accountability and transparency I am confident that adoption of the Framework will help the Court to deliver quality court services. I look forward to providing further details about this project as planning progresses. In the meantime, information is available on the International Consortium for Court Excellence website (new window).
Ian L Gray
Chief Magistrate