How to address Federal Court Judges, Federal Magistrates and Registrars
Addressing a Federal Court Judge
In writing
When
Guideline
Example
Formal
eg. addressing letters and envelopes
The Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 s6(6) prescribes the form for addressing Federal Court judges as ‘The Honourable Justice …………’.
It is incorrect to refer to a Federal Court judge as His or Her Honour Justice Smith or as Judge Smith.
Include any post nominals after the name (eg. AC, AO).
The Hon. Justice W M Smith AO
In Court
When
Guideline
Example
Addressing a judge in open court in a court proceeding.
In court, parties/legal practitioners refer to the judge as ‘Your Honour’.
‘Yes, your Honour.’
To refer to a judge who is not present in the courtroom you can refer to them as Justice Smith OR His or Her Honour BUT NOT His or Her Honour Justice Smith.
‘Your Honour would be aware that….’
In person
When
Guideline
Example
Face to face – eg. at a conference
If you are talking to a judge outside the court room it is appropriate to address the judge as Judge. Judges may introduce themselves by their first name. Unless they specifically request that you call them by their first name always reply to a judge formally ‘eg. Hello Judge’.
‘Good morning Judge.’
‘Hello Judge’
Non-work related context
If you meet a judge in a non-work context you need to use your common sense. It may be embarrassing for a judge to be identified as a judge in a supermarket, on a city street or at a social event. A simple ‘hello’ might be appropriate in these circumstances.
Addressing the Chief Justice
The same guidelines set out above apply when addressing the Chief Justice, with the small differences set out below:
When
Example
In writing - formal
The Hon. MEJ Black AC, Chief Justice, Federal Court of Australia
In Court
‘Your Honour’
In person
‘Good morning Chief Justice.’
How to address Registrars
When
Guideline
Example
In court
In court, registrars should be addressed as Registrar.
‘Registrar’
In person
In a work-related context registrars should be addressed as Registrar, unless s/he advises otherwise (eg. may choose to go by first name in a mediation). In a social context, first names are fine.
‘Registrar’
How to address a Federal Magistrate
When
Guideline
Example
Formal
eg. addressing letters and envelopes)
The Federal Magistrates Court Act 1999 prescribes the form for addressing Federal Magistrates as:
Chief Federal Magistrate
The Chief Federal Magistrate is to be styled "Chief Federal Magistrate (name)" or "(name) CFM".
Chief Federal Magistrate Pascoe
John Pascoe, CFM
Other Federal Magistrates
A Federal Magistrate (other than the Chief Federal Magistrate) is to be styled "Federal Magistrate (name)" or "(name) FM".
Federal Magistrate Jones OR
Tom Jones, FM
In Court
A Federal Magistrate is referred to in court as Your Honour.
‘Yes, your Honour.’
‘Your Honour would be aware that….’
In Person
In person you can simply greet a Federal Magistrate without referring to them by name. It is acceptable to say “Hello Judge” (as they are members of the federal judiciary) or “Hello Federal Magistrate”. It is NOT acceptable to say “Hello Magistrate”.
