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‘I am proud of what has been achieved’: Chief Justice Bathurst reflects on 2020
In a touching end-of-year address, the NSW Chief Justice has reflected back on 2020, with admiration for the judges, practitioners and court staff that ensured administration of justice was still achieved during one of the world’s worst global crises.
Naomi Neilson
From the use of courtroom technology through to a change in admission practices, the NSW Supreme Court altered its day-to-day norm to suit the restrictions that came with the global pandemic. According to the Honourable Chief Justice Tom Bathurst AC, the other courts may have equalled their efforts, but “I do not believe any have bettered it”.
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CJ Bathurst said a large extent of the court’s success during 2020 is owed to the “good humour, enthusiasm and dedication” from the judges and their staff in the way they all confronted a “whole new set of circumstances”. He said he is deeply grateful to every one of them and to the registry staff for their unwavering support during the year.
“I would like to thank and express my gratitude to the legal profession and community more broadly for their continued commitment to the administration of justice during the year. The resilience and flexibility of many have not gone unnoticed,” he said.
Looking forward, the courts will continue with the hybrid model it adopted during 2020, where several proceedings will be conducted entirely through in-person appearances, but others will continue to be conducted entirely by virtual courtroom methods.
“I envisage that once the impacts of the pandemic have passed, the court will continue to use virtual courtrooms to harness the many benefits they offer,” CJ Bathurst said.
He added the court recognises the importance of fairness, dignity and respect in the court system and the workplace, and that each person has a safe and secure place to work. This is especially important post-Dyson Heydon allegations as the profession takes a hard look at the way it has permitted sexual harassment to continue.
In more good news, the Supreme Court will return to in-person admission ceremonies from February 2021 and the number of ceremonies will be sufficiently expanded so all admittees can have a traditional ceremony.
“I am conscious of the significance new admittees and their families and friends attach to these ceremonies,” CJ Bathurst said.
