Guidelines for Law and Justice Groups

The Aboriginal Justice Agreement aims to engage and support Aboriginal leadership and reduce the offending and imprisonment of Aboriginal Territorians.

Two commitments under the agreement are:

• establish Community Courts
• establish and support Law and Justice Groups.

Law and Justice Groups (LJG)

LJG are representative groups for Aboriginal people that address law and justice issues and improve community responses and community safety. They focus on activities that help Aboriginal people in their community to address why offending is happening. They also participate in justice processes including Community Court so that community leadership, cultural knowledge and authority is used to address community problems and understand what will work best for offenders and victims.

The community needs to be recognised as a place for a LJG by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice because LJG have a role in Community Courts. Formal recognition occurs under the Sentencing Act 1995 and the Aboriginal Justice Agreement.

LJG need to put together a Local Action Plan that explains community priorities and what the group will do. There is funding available to get LJG ready and to implement activities in their community.

The Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet is responsible for establishing LJG in the NT and administering available funding to groups. The Aboriginal Justice Unit of the Department of Attorney General and Justice provides support.

Locations of Law and Justice Groups

There are currently six LJG officially recognised in the NT. They are in Kintore, Maningrida, Groote Eylandt, Ramingining, Barunga/ Wugularr and Yuendemu.

Community Courts (CC)

Community Court is a sentencing court on country (in community).  LJG members help the judge consider the best way to deal with a person who pleads guilty and agrees to go to CC. LJG members prepare an Aboriginal Experience Report for the judge so they can understand important cultural and community information about the people involved and consider community-based sentencing options and other support that could help change offender’s behaviours.

LJG members need to apply to be appointed to CC. The application process is explained in guidelines accessible below.

Documents for LJG members

• Law and Justice Groups Community Court Approval Guideline PDF (873.1 KB)