19. High Court of Aust.

Life doesn't stand still and I'm a little behind with this blog - I began writing this a week or two ago.

I had the opportunity to go to the High court last Friday, so I did! I went to visit at a weekend to find that it wasn't open. The guides there are law students and are very happy to show people around and share their knowledge. One thing that I found out was that the court is only in session for the first two weeks of a month because the judges need time to write up their judgements. So, the day I went, there were no sessions meaning that I could look into two of the court rooms - not the first one though because it was getting new carpet laid. Each court room has a different purpose too. I think one of them is used for challenges to the consitution and another deals with appeals.

I found it all really interesting and I do like the building. It's hard for me not to think like a teacher and take photos that I might, one day, turn into a PPT for students.



I can't read it either but I believe this is our constitution.














Australia's first judges









Courtroom 3. This courtroom can have a jury.

Past

Present'ish'

Courtroom 2.  "The Working Courtroom" The majority of cases are heard here.
Each of the judges in this courtroom has an assistant. The assistant carries a bunch of books. The books contain the previous cases and judgements. It is the assistant's job to find relevant information as asked by the judge and to find precedents. I asked why they don't just use a computer nowadays. I think it is just a tradition that hasn't been changed.

This is the door to Courtroom 1 and the most impressive of the doors although the images appear on all of the courtroom doors. The shields represent protection of the constitution and the ribbon running across that joins when the doors are closed represent the end of the session and everything tied up.

I loved this artwork and thought it was clever. It is all the newspaper reports of the first sitting of the high court.

I was told that the high court was originally built higher than Parliament House, because it has a higher power. Then the New Parliament House was built. They are placed within a straight line of each other and I think the War memorial is too. This is significant as it signifies the relationship between them. I loved the natural materials used in the building as well.

There were lots of ducks here, enjoying the fountain. One of which was either dancing or bad tempered.


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