Judicial Commission Act 2020

• Jurisdiction: Northern Territory
• Year: 2020
• Type of Document: Acts

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

JUDICIAL COMMISSION ACT 2020

As in force at 11 November 2021

Table of provisions

Part 1 Preliminary matters

1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1

2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1

3 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1

4 Application of Criminal Code ........................................................... 2

Part 2 Judicial Commission and investigation

panels

Division 1 Judicial Commission

5 Establishment of Judicial Commission ............................................ 2

6 Functions of Judicial Commission ................................................... 3

7 Composition of Judicial Commission ............................................... 3

8 Appointment of community member to Judicial Commission........... 3

9 Termination of appointment of community member ......................... 5

10 Acting members of Judicial Commission ......................................... 5

11 Member involved in complaint ......................................................... 6

12 Head of jurisdiction involved in complaint ........................................ 6

13 Meetings of Judicial Commission .................................................... 7

Division 2 Powers of Judicial Commission

14 General powers ............................................................................... 8

15 Guidelines........................................................................................ 8

16 Legal assistance .............................................................................. 8

17 Examination on oath ........................................................................ 9

18 Issuing summons ............................................................................. 9

19 Inspection and retention of documents ............................................ 9

20 Medical or psychological examination ........................................... 10

Division 3 Investigation panel

21 Establishing investigation panel ..................................................... 10

22 Pool of persons eligible to be community members ...................... 11

23 Functions of investigation panel .................................................... 11

24 Members of investigation panel ..................................................... 11

25 Meetings of investigation panel ..................................................... 12

Judicial Commission Act 2020 ii

Division 4 Powers of investigation panel

26 General powers ............................................................................. 13

27 Legal assistance ............................................................................ 13

28 Examination on oath ...................................................................... 13

29 Issuing summons ........................................................................... 13

30 Arrest warrant ................................................................................ 14

31 Search warrants ............................................................................ 14

32 Inspection and retention of documents .......................................... 16

33 Medical or psychological examination ........................................... 16

34 Preventing or restricting release of information ............................. 17

Division 5 Related matters

35 Independence of all members ....................................................... 17

36 Expenses and remuneration .......................................................... 18

37 Protocol for complaints against ordinary members of NTCAT ....... 18

38 Delegation by Judicial Commission ............................................... 18

39 Staff of Judicial Commission .......................................................... 19

Part 3 Complaint process

Division 1 Making complaint

40 Grounds for complaint ................................................................... 19

41 Referral to Judicial Commission .................................................... 20

Division 2 Acting on complaint

42 Preliminary examination of complaint ............................................ 20

43 Matters related to complaint .......................................................... 20

44 Grounds to dismiss complaint ........................................................ 21

45 Vexatious complainants ................................................................. 22

46 Giving notice .................................................................................. 22

47 Opportunity to respond to complaint .............................................. 23

48 Options for taking action ................................................................ 23

49 Referral to head of jurisdiction ....................................................... 24

Division 3 Examination and investigation by

investigation panel

50 Establishment of investigation panel ............................................. 24

51 Examination and investigation by investigation panel .................... 24

52 Hearing by investigation panel ....................................................... 24

53 Dismissal of complaint by investigation panel................................ 25

54 Termination of investigation panel ................................................. 26

Judicial Commission Act 2020 ii i

Division 4 Substantiation of complaint by investigation

panel

55 Duty to report ................................................................................. 26

56 Report to head of jurisdiction ......................................................... 26

57 Report to Administrator and Minister ............................................. 27

58 Tabling report before Legislative Assembly ................................... 27

Division 5 Action in response to complaint

59 Interim suspension ........................................................................ 27

60 Action by head of jurisdiction ......................................................... 28

61 Removal of Supreme Court Judge from office ............................... 28

62 Removal of Associate Judge from office ....................................... 29

63 Termination of appointment of Local Court Judge ......................... 29

64 Termination of appointment of member of NTCAT ........................ 29

Part 4 Miscellaneous matters

65 Legal representation ...................................................................... 30

66 Procedure ...................................................................................... 30

67 Contempt ....................................................................................... 30

68 Self-incrimination ........................................................................... 31

69 Reimbursement of witness's expenses .......................................... 31

70 Payment of costs and expenses of judicial officer or ordinary

member of NTCAT ........................................................................ 31

71 Protection of members .................................................................. 31

72 Protection of staff ........................................................................... 32

73 Offence to disclose certain information .......................................... 32

74 Misleading information ................................................................... 33

75 Giving information to Minister ........................................................ 34

76 Annual report ................................................................................. 35

77 Approved forms ............................................................................. 36

78 Regulations .................................................................................... 36

ENDNOTES