Home
- » Key resources and services
  - » Programs and projects
    - » Koori courts

Koori courts

Reach:
VIC
Focus area:
Indigenous
Status:
Current
Evaluated:
Yes

Overview

Koori courts were established under the Magistrates' Court (Koori Court) Act 2002, and are a division of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria. Koori courts sentence Indigenous defendants, and provide a less formal atmosphere that allows greater participation by the local Victorian Aboriginal (Koori) community in the court process. A Koori court for children is also available.

Koori court Elders and/or respected persons, a Koori court officer, the defendant, and their family, can all contribute to the discussions during the court hearing. All offences that can be heard in the Magistrates' Court, except family violence and sexual offences, can be heard in the Koori courts.

Source: Department of Justice, Victoria

Contacts

Koori Courts Unit
7/436 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Vic 3000
Ph: (03) 9603 9364
Fax: (03) 9603 9464

Related publications

Koori Court (2006)

Victorian Department of Justice

This factsheet provides information on Victoria's Koori court program, including:

objectives of the Koori court
how it operates
who participates in the Koori court
information about the program's evaluation.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Koori Court: information for legal representatives (2008)

Victorian Department of Justice

This brochure was designed as a practice resource for the legal representatives involved in Victoria's Koori court program. The brochure contains information on:

what the Koori court is
how it differs from the traditional court system
why Koori courts are available
objectives of the Koori court
the legislation on which the Koori court is based
jurisdiction of the Koori court
who is involved in a Koori court hearing
who is eligible to be involved in this program
sentencing options of the Koori court
location of the Koori courts.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Koori Court: a defendant's guide (2010)

Victorian Department of Justice

This brochure was designed for defendants in the Koori court program. It includes information on:

what the Koori court is
where they are located in Victoria
who is eligible to partake in the Koori court program
what happens in the Koori court
who is involved in this program
sentencing options and court orders
what happens if a defendant's matter is adjourned
sources of information about the Koori court.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Stroud N (2010)

The Koori Court revisited: a review of cultural and language awareness in the administration of justice.

Australian Law Librarian; 18(3): 184-192

Marchetti E, Daly K (2004)

Indigenous courts and justice practices in Australia.

Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology

Evaluated publications

Harris M (2006)

“A sentencing conversation”: evaluation of the Koori Courts Pilot Program: October 2002 – October 2004.

Melbourne: Victorian Department of Justice

Links

Last updated: 17 July 2012

Return to top