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Lifting the veil – the changing face of judgments publishing in the Family Court of Australia. Lyn Newlands Judgments Publication Coordinator Family Court of Australia September 2009. Judgments generally. Form the basis of legal precedent Provide a window into the courtroom
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Lifting the veil – the changing face of judgments publishing in the Family Court of Australia Lyn Newlands Judgments Publication Coordinator Family Court of Australia September 2009
Judgments generally • Form the basis of legal precedent • Provide a window into the courtroom • Jurisprudential and educational value • Publication supports principles of open justice, and transparency/accountability
Family Court Judgments - Past • Limited publication based on value of judgment as legal precedent • Predominantly Appeal judgments • “Closed window” gave rise to myths and misconceptions
Family Court Judgments – Review and Change • All judgments to be published from 2007- • Consistent policies and standards • Strong guidelines on s 121 requirements and introduction of pseudonyms for citation
Family Court Judgments – Present • Internally, Chambers acceptance is high • Substantial ongoing liaison to support the changes • Media reporting on cases – providing greater community education
A librarian in a non-library world • How did I get here? • Identity crisis – is this information management? • Where am I going? • Importance of picking good mentors