Structure & how we work

ICJ Australia has no paid staff. All of our work and other activities are performed by the Executive Committee, Councillors, and active members, purely in a voluntary capacity. Our head office at Glebe Court House  in Sydney is kindly provided rent free by the Attorney-General's Department of NSW.

National Section of ICJ Australia

ICJ Australia is centrally co-ordinated by the Executive Committee and by the Council of the National Section, elected under the organisation's Constitution.

The Council is the central decision making organ, meeting every month in a room kindly made available by the Law Society of NSW without fee. There are also numerous formal sub-committees that meet regularly to deal with specific issues on the National Section’s agenda, and a number of ad hoc sub-committees keeping a watching brief on other issues. Currently, the sub-committees are:

The National Section’s activities are not limited to the areas covered by these sub-committees, and it routinely deals with other issues under general business where the Council considers that there is a rule of law and human rights issue to be addressed.

State & Territory Branches fo ICJ Australia

In addition to the National Section, there are currently active branches in seven of the eight States and Territories of Australia. Traditionally, our State and Territory branches focus on issues specific to their respective jurisdictions, and the National Section focuses on nation-wide and international issues, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. State and Territory branches are also delegated national and international issues from time to time by the National Section.

The structural relationship between the National Section and its State and Territory branches is governed by the organisation's Constitution (link above). Some State and Territory branches have their own formal Constitutions, adopted in accordance with national Constitutional requirements.

Members living in Australia usually join their local State or Territory branch. Information about Nation Section activities is distributed to State and Territory branches for distribution to their members. It is an option, however, to independently  join the National Section. Many members who want to be active in international and other non-State issues choose this option.

The State and Territory branches are required under the Constitution to remit a capitation fee to the National Section, being 15% of all branch membership fees. That capitation fee is designed to assist in funding the National Section's projects, other activities and administrative overheads.