Advanced Decision Writing (Online) 26-27

Participant suitability

This course is designed for Tribunal members with several years’ experience in decision writing.

It focuses on advanced reasoning and writing issues and does not cover introductory topics such as adequate reasons or structuring decisions.

For foundational programs, see the Online Member Induction Program and Introduction to Decision Writing (Online).

Course Content

This program features a series of in-depth interviews with distinguished decision-writers, including:

• Justice Jayne Jagot (High Court of Australia)
• Justice Mark Leeming (NSW Court of Appeal)
• Justice John Griffith (A/ Justice of the Court of Appeal; formerly Federal Court of Australia)
• Justice Rachel Pepper (NSW Land and Environment Court)
• Deputy President Bernard McCabe (Administrative Appeals Tribunal)

Conducted by Suzanne Leal, published author and Tribunal member, the interviews explore topics such as:

• Giving reasons for findings of fact, especially where evidence is finely balanced or involves issues of credit
• Dealing with voluminous or technical material
• Balancing considerations in the exercise of discretionary power
• Addressing arguments about competing statutory constructions
• Structuring reasons involving multiple disputed issues of fact and law

Each interview is accompanied by exercises based on extracts from the interviewees’ own decisions. These exercises illustrate effective writing techniques and encourage participants to reflect on and refine their own practice.
Completion of module activities is required for certification.

Course format

The course is delivered entirely online through an easy-to-navigate, password-protected platform.
Participants can study at their own pace and will have eight weeks’ access to complete the course.

Time commitment

Each interview runs for approximately 45 minutes, with accompanying exercises requiring a similar time commitment.
Most participants complete the course in around eight hours.