The Neighbourhood Justice Centre – 6 Years On. Combining a multi-jurisdictional court with a range of support services and community initiatives, the Neighbourhood Justice Centre (NJC) has played a significant role in local community crime prevention work, building community confidence and innovating justice delivery locally. The NJC was established in 2007 and is Australia’s only community justice centre. It is located in Collingwood, Melbourne, and serves the City of Yarra. The Centre is committed to resolving disputes, addressing the underlying causes of harmful behaviour, and tackling social disadvantage. David Fanning has been the Magistrate at the NJC since its foundation will provide an overview of the Centre. He will reflect on some of the achievements of this community justice model, share innovations they have initiated, and explore the future of community justice with you.

1. Neighbourhood Justice Centre
Six Years On
Magistrate David Fanning

7. Community Partners

8. NJC Cases Finalised by Financial Year
1,920
2,379
2,925 2,916
3,644
3,791
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
FY0708 FY0809 FY0910 FY1011 FY1112 FY1213 (w
estimate of
Q4)
Magistrates' Court -
Criminal
Magistrates' Court - Family
Violence & Personal Safety
Victims of Crime Assistance
Tribunal (VOCAT)
Children's Court - Criminal
VCAT - Residential
Tenancies
VCAT - Civil
VCAT - Guardianship
TOTAL CASES NJC
NJC Court data

9. 0.0
2000.0
4000.0
6000.0
8000.0
10000.0
12000.0
14000.0
16000.0
18000.0
20000.0
2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012
Crime Per 100,000 of Population
by Financial Year
City of Yarra
Other Crime
Drug Offences
Crimes against Property
Crimes Against the Person

10. Results
 Recidivism rates – the study found the NJC
cohort had 26% less likelihood of re-offending
than the control cohort
 CCO completion rates are 10% higher (77%)
than the state average of 66%
 City of Yarra’s crime rate has fallen more
steeply (by 28% as at the end of June 2011)
than any other high crime LGA in Victoria.
 Aboriginal Hearing Day attendance rate at
90%

11. NJC examples of practice
• Deferred sentences
• Court reviews
• Aboriginal Hearings Day
• Special Circumstances list
• Problem solving meetings
• Family Violence and Personal Safety Intervention
Order list
• Neighbourhood Justice Officer
• Client Services

12. Community Initiatives
• Crime Prevention
• Community Education
• Community Building
• Special Projects

13. Influencing systemic change
• Working in partnership
• Across issues affecting courts and
communities
• Increasing confidence in and access to
justice