TED: Who makes judges? | Jessica Kerr

The video discusses the Australian judicial system, highlighting the immense power judges hold and the lack of transparency in their appointment. It critiques the traditional merit-based selection process, which often lacks diversity and fails to prepare judges adequately. The speaker emphasizes the need for ongoing education and a more structured career path for aspiring judges, advocating for government responsibility and cultural change within the legal profession to ensure public trust in the judiciary.

What is a key reason for the public's trust in the Australian judicial system?

• Judges are elected by the public.

• Judges generally make the right decisions.

• Judges are trained in a special school.

• Judges have limited power.

Why is the independence of judges crucial?

• To ensure they can be easily fired.

• To enable them to cut their own salaries.

• To allow them to make laws.

• To ensure they are not influenced by the government.

What is a major issue with the current judicial appointment process?

• It is based on a public voting system.

• It is controlled by the public.

• It lacks diversity and relies on traditional backgrounds.

• It is too transparent.

What is a significant difference between barristers and judges?

• Barristers are trained in judge school.

• Judges and barristers have fundamentally different roles.

• Judges have more legal knowledge than barristers.

• Barristers are elected, judges are not.

What challenge do new judges face when transitioning to the bench?

• They need to pass a new exam.

• They have to learn a new language.

• They must adapt to a new legal system.

• They often lack experience in running trials.

What is a growing expectation of judges in modern society?

• To be experts in all areas of law.

• To have strong non-legal skills like leadership.

• To be able to write new laws.

• To work without any salary.

What is a suggested reform for the judicial appointment process?

• Reducing the salaries of judges.

• Allowing public voting for judges.

• Eliminating the need for a judicial oath.

• Creating a formal judicial career path.

Why is ongoing education for judges important?

• To help them learn how to be effective judges.

• To make them more popular with the public.

• To ensure they can be fired for incompetence.

• To allow them to change the laws.

What is the role of government in the judicial appointment process?

• To reduce the salaries of judges.

• To train judges in a special school.

• To take responsibility for explaining their choices.

• To elect judges through public voting.

What is the impact of better-prepared lawyers on the judicial system?

• It leads to more public distrust.

• It results in more diverse laws.

• It ensures judges are more deserving of trust.

• It increases the number of judges.