19 November 2004
Secure Future for Community Justice Centre
Dr Peter Toyne MLA
Minister for Justice
Attorney-General
Related Links
This page
is maintained by the
Office of the Chief Minister
A successful 12 month trial of the Territory’s first Community Justice Centre has secured its place as a permanent part of NT’s justice system.
The CJC which started in June last year has provided mediation services for resolving disputes as an alternative to the courts and expensive litigation.
This delivered an election commitment to provide mediation services to the Territory community with mediators available in all major centres.
Minister for Justice Dr Peter Toyne said the concept of community justice centres have worked well in other states and the trial has produced promising results here.
“It has reduced the burden on the courts system for lower-end matters and by provides the community with a way to find solutions to their own issues,” Dr Toyne said.
“The community has access to community justice services to settle disputes rather than having to pursue what can be costly and lengthy court action.
“The types of matters that are being brought to the Community Justice Centre include tenancy disputes, neighbourhood disputes, small claims, planning disputes, issues arising out of motor vehicle collisions, civil claims and even family disputes.
“Mediation can be the way to settle these types of matters where both parties can work together to resolve the issue at very little cost.
“The centre provides victim offender conferencing that gives victims an opportunity to participate in the justice system and the offender to restore harm caused,” Dr Toyne said.
The Community Justice Centre is staffed by a Co-ordinator and Project Officer with accredited mediators, with vast experience and specialised mediation skills, available throughout the Territory.
The Centre is located at 45 Mitchell Street , Darwin .