4. Professional development
Judges are encouraged to take advantage of the many continuing legal education programs which are available. In addition to conferences, seminars and meetings of general benefit to the judiciary, a number of specialized programs have been developed specifically for judges, including seminars for newly-appointed judges, and seminars on judgement writing, sentencing and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The responsibility to further their education rests with individual
judges who are encouraged to spend up to 10 sitting days a year on their
continuing education.
Major legal education programs and avenues include the following.
The Council was established under the Judges Act to “promote efficiency and uniformity, and to improve the quality of judicial service in superior courts” in Canada. It consists of the Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices of all federally appointed courts in Canada, and includes the senior judges of the three territories. The Council is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Amongst the Council’s functions are the continuing education of judges, the development of consensus among council members on issues involving the administration of justice and the handling of complaints against federally appointed judges.
The Council, through its Judicial Education Committee, recommends conferences and seminars for judges which qualify for re-imbursement of expenses. The Council’s Study Leave Committee also reviews applications and recommends judges for the Study Leave Program at Canadian Universities; this allows for a leave of absence to reflect, research or teach at a Canadian University.
Created in 1988, the National Judicial Institute (NJI) is a federally and provincially funded non-profit organization committed to continuing legal education. The NJI designs and presents courses for judges which focus on the three major components of judicial education: substantive law, skills training and social context issues. The Canadian Judicial Council authorizes various seminars provided by the NJI in this respect.
Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs
The Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (CFJA) has developed and supports a private computer network for the sole and confidential use of federally appointed judges through its Judicom Program. Training sessions are held with judges throughout Canada for this purpose. In coordination with the National Judicial Institute, CFJA also provides individual courts with computer training.
The CFJA also offers English and French language training programs to both federally and provincially appointed judges designed to improve proficiency in the other official language in the judicial and legal context. These courses are available to both anglophone and francophone judges and at several levels of proficiency. They are provided through groups sessions in various parts of Canada, and reinforced with private courses.
The CFJA also administers, on behalf of the Minister of Justice, the federal judicial appointments process of interest to all those who seek an appointment to the Bench. This is effected through the operation of the Judicial Appointments Secretariat which insures that all applicants are aware of the criteria and other considerations which apply when seeking a position on the Bench.
Canadian Institute for the
Administration of Justice (CIAJ)
This institute organizes a wide range of conferences and workshops,
at which federally appointed judges are authorized to participate.
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