What is the Judiciary and what does it do?

The Judiciary (sometimes called the courts) makes judgements about the law. The Judiciary is made up of the High Court of Australia and other federal courts.

The Australian Constitution divides the power to make and manage laws between 3 largely separate groups. This division is based on the principle of the separation of powers. The 3 groups that share the power to make and manage federal law are the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary.

The Australian High Court in session. Judges wearing black robes sit at a long table. They are facing lawyers sitting at another table. The lawyers wear old-fashioned wigs.

The High Court of Australia.

DPS Auspic

The High Court of Australia.

The Australian High Court in session. Judges wearing black robes sit at a long table. They are facing lawyers sitting at another table. The lawyers wear old-fashioned wigs.

DPS Auspic

Description

A large semi circular desk atop a small raise at the end of the room. Seven figures in black (High Court judges) with papers in front of them sit at this long desk. In front of them on the floor is an opposite curved desk with many figures in black with many papers in front of them. Smaller desks sit in rows behind.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.