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How are laws enforced? · 1 min read

Judges and magistrates

The judge or magistrate is the highest authority in a court. They are independent and no one can tell them what to decide.

Judges and magistrates are appointed by the government, but the government cannot take their jobs away if it disagrees with their decisions.

Test yourself on this topic

2 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

  1. 1. A government disagrees strongly with a decision made by a judge. What can it do?

    • It can order the judge to change the decision
    • It can dismiss the judge from the court at once
    • It can give the case to a police officer instead
    • Nothing — it cannot take away the judge's job

    Explanation: The government appoints judges, but it cannot remove them because it dislikes their decisions. This keeps them independent.

  2. 2. Who is the highest authority in an Australian court?

    • The most experienced juror
    • The senior police officer
    • The judge or magistrate
    • The lawyer for the government

    Explanation: The judge or magistrate leads the court and nobody can tell them what to decide.

From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet