How to Address Judges & Judicial Registrars
Addressing a Federal Court Judge
In Court
|
When |
Guideline |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Addressing a judge in open court in a court proceeding |
In court, parties/legal practitioners refer to the judge as 'Your Honour'. |
'Yes, your Honour.' |
|
To refer to a judge who is not present in the courtroom you can refer to them as Justice Smith OR His or Her Honour BUT NOT His or Her Honour Justice Smith. |
'Your Honour would be aware that Justice Smith …' |
In writing
|
When |
Guideline |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Addressing letters and envelopes |
The Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 s6(6) prescribes the form for addressing Federal Court judges as 'The Honourable Justice …………'. It is incorrect to refer to a Federal Court judge as His or Her Honour Justice Smith or as Judge Smith. Include any post nominals after the name (eg. AC, AO). |
The Hon. Justice W M Smith AO
|
| Salutation | Dear Judge, |
Addressing the Chief Justice
The same guidelines set out above apply when addressing the Chief Justice, with the small differences set out below:
|
When |
Example |
|---|---|
|
In writing - addressing letters and envelopes |
The Hon. D S Mortimer, Chief Justice, Federal Court of Australia |
| In writing - salutation | Dear Chief Justice, |
|
In Court |
'Your Honour' |
|
In person |
'Good morning Chief Justice.' |
How to address Registrars
|
Guideline |
Example |
|---|---|
|
In court, a case management conference or mediation a registrar should be addressed as Registrar unless s/he advises otherwise. |
'Registrar' |
