John David Phillips
Phillips is not alone in his criticism of government. He received support in 2006 when retiring judge William Ormiston agreed with Phillips’ comments. Chief Justice Marilyn Warren responded to the criticism by saying that "bureaucrats did not tell her what to do". Warren noted that whilst there were disagreements between her and the government from time to time, the judges run the courts, not public servants. Warren said
"The court, as part of our structure of government, is independent. As part of Victoria's constitutional arrangements, the Supreme Court is the third arm of government."
Supreme Court of Justice (Austria)
The Austrian judiciary is divided into general courts () and courts of public law ().
The courts of public law supervise the other two branches of government. One of its limbs, the administrative court system, reviews the legality of administrative acts. Its other limb, the Constitutional Court, adjudicates on liability claims against the Republic, its provinces, and its municipalities,
demarcation conflicts between courts or between courts and bureaucrats,
complaints regarding the constitutionality of statutes or the legality of ordinances,
election complaints,
and complaints regarding the conduct of elected officials and political appointees in office.
The general courts handle all remaining civil cases and all criminal trials as well as non-adversary proceedings such as inheritance cases or legal guardianship matters.