With His Honour, the Chief Justice of Western Australia, The Honourable Wayne Martin AC

 
Dear Firstname

“Interpreters […] play an essential role in the administration of justice – they are fundamental to ensuring access to justice and procedural fairness for people with limited or no English proficiency” - Australian National Standards for Working with Interpreters in Courts and Tribunals

The Judicial Council on Cultural Diversity (JCCD) was established in 2014 as an advisory body of judicial officers from all geographical jurisdictions and court levels. The JCCD identified an urgent need for nationally consistent standards and guidelines on working with interpreters in courts and tribunals. The Australian National Standards for Working with Interpreters in Courts and Tribunals are the result and have been developed to ensure access to justice for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The standards give recognition to the significant role played by interpreters within the justice system and help ensure professionalism and quality.

We are pleased to welcome the Honourable Wayne Martin, Chief Justice of Western Australia, to speak to T&I practitioners on these standards, which see interpreters recognised as officers of the court.

This is a highly significant step: to ensure awareness of just what it means for you and how it will impact the work of professional interpreters in courts and tribunals, we will also hear from Ella Davies (AUSIT WA Chair), including a question and answer session.

Presenter

The Hon Wayne Martin was admitted to legal practice in Western Australia in 1977. In 1984 he became Senior Litigation Partner with Keall Brinsden in Perth and then in 1988 joined the Independent Bar. In 1993 he was appointed Queen’s Counsel. Between October 1996 and October 2002 he was a Member of the Law Reform Commission, and from 1997 to 2001 served as its Chairman. From 2001 – 2003, he took on the role of counsel assisting the HIH Royal Commission in Sydney. In 2006, he became the 13th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. In 2012, the Chief Justice was recognised nationally when he was appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia "for eminent service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, to legal reform and education, and to the community". Chief Justice Martin was appointed inaugural Chair of the Judicial Council on Cultural Diversity in 2013.

PD Logbook: Level: Intermediate, Points: 20, Category: 1.7

AUSIT WA would like to thank the Chief Justice’s staff for their assistance in organising this event at the David Malcolm Justice Centre.

Public transport information

Both Perth station and Perth Underground station are within 5-10 minutes’ walk

Parking information

The nearest carparks are:

• below ground station behind Council House (entrance off 27 St Georges Terrace)
• two parking stations on Terrace Road
• under the Concert Hall (also off Terrace Road)