Need for alternative dispute resolution schemes

21/4/93

Alternative dispute resolution initiatives need to be developed quickly in Western Australia, according to Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes. 

Mrs Edwardes said initiatives such as community justice centres and other mediation services were required to reduce pressure on Western Australia's courts and provide justice quickly, cheaply and less formally. 

Mrs Edwardes - who was speaking at a Perth conference of court administrators from throughout the State - said it was important that people were given a choice of ways in which to resolve disputes or obtain justice other than pursuing the matter through the court. 

"It is a fact that some of our courts are having to deal with a large backlog of matters and attempts are being made by the judiciary, the Law Society and the State Government to relieve the strain," Mrs Edwardes said. 

"Community justice centres can provide an excellent option and the State Government is committed to providing this service in Western Australia." 

The centres will provide trained staff who can assist people with mediation and the resolution of disputes without the need for involvement in the mainstream adversarial system. 

The Perth conference is being addressed by Mrs Wendy Faulkes, the director of a community justice centre network in New South Wales. 

"In New South Wales last year, the centres resolved almost 1,800 disputes and of these, 87 per cent of the matters were finalised within 30 days," the Attorney General said. 

"This is an exciting result and I am currently looking at the New South Wales scheme and those in other States to develop a justice centre model for use in Western Australia." 

Mrs Edwardes also urged the court administrators to play their part in making the court system more 'user friendly'. 

"Gone are the days when courts were regarded as 'clearing houses' for unsavoury elements of society," Mrs Edwardes said. 

"Courts can by nature be intimidating and frightening for the people who attend them - not just alleged offenders, but witnesses, victims and their families. 

"Steps are being taken to make them more human.  For example, at the weekend I opened a special care facility for victims of crime at the Perth Children's Court and the new Joondalup courthouse will contain a variety of architectural features aimed at creating - where appropriate - a dignified and supportive environment."

Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9595