MEDIA RELEASE
For the first time in Australia, judges in the Supreme Court of Western Australia will provide summaries of sentencing decisions to the media.
The Hon the Chief Justice of Western Australia, David Malcolm AC, said the move was aimed at keeping the community informed about the Court's work.
"Over the past several years, the Supreme Court has been examining ways of improving the ability of the judiciary to communicate information to the public about what the courts do and why they do it," said the Chief Justice.
"The media has an important role to play in this area. To facilitate the work of the media and to assist in better informing the public about sentencing decisions in particular, judges of the Supreme Court have decided to provide summaries of sentencing decisions to the media."
Summaries will now be available and will be provided on a trial basis over the next six months.
"These summaries will be provided not only to the state's major media outlets but will also be specifically directed to local community newspapers to enable publication of decisions of relevance to local communities," he said.
"If the project is assessed as being successful, the publication of summaries will be continued," the Chief Justice said.
Transcript of sentencing remarks in full and copies of reasons for decisions for judgments will continue to be made available to any member of the media on request.
Media Contact: Public Information Officer tel: (08) 9421 5303
