NSW Bar Association Judicial Conduct Liaison Officers

04/02/2025

If you have concerns about the ability or behaviour of a member of the judiciary, there is a range of options available to you.

The Bar Association has protocols in place with the Supreme Court of NSW, the District Court of NSW and Heads of federal jurisdictions to facilitate the raising of concerns about members of the judiciary. Further details about those protocols are available here, here and here.

As set out in the Bar Association's Protocol with the Supreme Court of NSW and the District Court of NSW, a barrister, or clerk on behalf of a barrister, may contact the President of the NSW Bar Association or an independent contact person nominated by the Executive of the Bar Council (known as a 'Judicial Conduct Liaison Officer') to raise concerns about the conduct of a judicial officer. Contact can be made by telephone, email or in person. The current Judicial Contact Liaison Officers with the Supreme Court of NSW are Kylie Nomchong SC and David Williams SC. Contact details are available on the Association’s website here.

As set out in the protocols with the Heads of federal jurisdictions, a barrister may raise concerns about the conduct of a judicial officer with the President of the NSW Bar Association or the President of the Australian Bar Association. Contact can be made by telephone, email or in person. Contact details are available on the Association’s website here.

Further information about these options, including anonymous reporting and informal or formal reporting options, are outlined in the NSW Bar Association's Model Best Practice Guideline: Grievance and Complaint Framework (see, in particular, paragraphs 23-28).