Role purpose
Bail Justice volunteers play an important role in the justice system and provide a valuable and accessible service which is unique to Victoria.
The role of Bail Justice volunteers includes conducting:
- after-hours bail
- remand hearings in respect of adults who are held in police custody under the Bail Act 1977 (External link)
- remand hearings involving children who are held in police custody and applications for Interim Accommodation Orders under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (External link)
Similar to Justice of the Peace volunteers, Bail Justice volunteers also have the power to witness statutory declarations and receive affidavits within Victoria.
Bail Justice volunteers are appointed by the Governor in Council under section 14 of the Honorary Justices Act 2014 (External link)
Key accountabilities
Bail Justice volunteers are part of a collective group known as Honorary Justices and as such, there is an expectation that all Bail Justice volunteers will respect, observe and adhere to the highest levels of personal, social and community standards of integrity and professionalism to ensure that all Victorians are provided with an independent, fair and impartial service.
Bail Justice volunteers have a responsibility to make themselves available to conduct after-hours bail and remand hearings in respect or adults and children, and hearings for Interim Accommodation Orders.
Eligibility
There are no specific qualifications required to become a Bail Justice volunteer in Victoria. However, to be considered for appointment, Bail Justice volunteers must meet a number of eligibility criteria:
- be between 18 and 70 years of age
- be an Australian citizen
- not be an insolvent under administration.
Applicants must also satisfy the Attorney-General that they:
- have satisfactorily completed the course of training prescribed for appointment as a Bail Justice
- are fluent in the English language
- ordinarily reside in Victoria
- are a fit and proper person to be appointed as a Bail Justice.
Key selection criteria
Technical skills
Prior to being appointed, all Bail Justice volunteers are required to successfully complete the Bail Justice Training Program to demonstrate a high level of technical ability to:
- conduct after-hours hearings
- understand and apply the legislative framework within which Bail Justices operate.
Knowledge and skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Conflict management skills
- Initiative and flexibility
- Confident decision making skills
- Commitment to service delivery
- Commitment to volunteering
- Empathy and cultural awareness
- Ability to display professionalism and discipline at all times and in difficult situations.
Important information
Bail Justice volunteers should be active members of the community who demonstrate a willingness and passion for assisting other members of the community, and are required to:
- adhere to the Code of Conduct for Honorary Justices (External link)
- be reasonably available to perform the duties of a Bail Justice
- undertake and successfully complete training and professional development within identified timeframes.
All appointments are subject to the following checks:
- National Police Record Check
- Australian Securities and Investment Commission Search
- Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia Search.
Ongoing recruitment of honorary justices
Ongoing recruitment updates for Justices of the Peace and Bail Justices will be available on our website.
Please check Become a Justice of the Peace or Bail Justice or our careers page for updates.