Part V Separation of Powers, Ch.28 The Separation of Judicial Power

This chapter discusses the separation of judicial power principle in Australia. First, it considers the history of the principle and whether it was intended or assumed by the Constitution's drafters. Next, the chapter examines the evolution of the principle in the High Court's jurisprudence, as well as its underlying rationales. Hereafter, this chapter considers the practical ramifications of the principle, and the methods and techniques adopted by the High Court to respond to some of its ‘inconvenient’ consequences. Finally, the chapter considers two of the core underlying rationales in the context of controversial issues in contemporary jurisprudence. It analyses the separation of judicial power principle and the protection of individual rights, in addition to the separation of judicial power principle and federalism. The chapter concludes by briefly commenting on likely future developments.