Community Justice Centres in New South Wales - An Experimental Model that Works (From Justice Programs for Aboriginal and Other Indigenous Communities, P 143-151, 1985, Kathleen M Hazelhurst, ed. - See NCJ-100652)

• NCJ Number: 100660
• Author(s): W Faulkes
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper describes the operation and effectiveness of voluntary mediation in community justice centers in New South Wales (Australia).

Abstract

The centers use mediation as the preferred mode of dispute resolution. The disputants voluntarily use an impartial third party to aid them in reaching their own agreement. The mediator may be appointed by an authority or selected by the disputants. Each center has a panel of mediators selected to be representative of the community. All mediators complete a training course. The 1983 Community Justice Centres Act provides that mediation sessions shall be conducted privately and informally without using rules of evidence. Although community justice centers are not specifically aimed at Aboriginal communities, they facilitate such communities resolving disputes in accordance with Aboriginal cultural values. Centers have aided in the resolution of approximately half of their disputes. Centers' effectiveness depends upon disputants having proper legal protection through enabling legislation as well as the careful selection, training, and supervision of mediators. Following the first year's evaluation of the centers, the government has institutionalized the project. Extracts from the 1983-84 annual report cover the nature of disputes, the escalation of disputes, and the outcome of intervention.