See Notice Board.
"There is no crueller tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of law and
in the name of justice."
Charles de Montesquieu,
1689-1755
Its function would primarily focus on making those changes within our Legal and Justice System (civil and criminal) which would ensure that all residents of Australia and its Territories be granted the truest form of Natural Justice. In doing so, there would be no distinction made between those who can afford the existing structure which purportedly delivers Natural Justice, and those who can't.
It is claimed by some legal practitioners that the legal system offers the right to Natural Justice, in part through the existence of Appellate Courts, and yet the cost of this justice is prohibitive for the vast majority of Australians; and those who do seize on the only avenues available are usually close to financial exhaustion at the time of taking their matters to a higher court. Assets are mortgaged and sold, and the parties seeking justice very often fall from the system, broken.
And there is nothing dramatic about my words. I have witnessed the debilitating effects of denial of Natural Justice. The financial ruin and hopelessness that are spawned then extend to families being torn apart, suicides, illness and premature deaths. And again, this is not a dramatic portrayal of a severe endemic problem which has endured throughout the history of our nation.
But now, with the emergence of The Australian Justice Tribunal, this Organisation will act to take the hopelessness out of the lives of Australians who have been aggrieved. Naturally, this form of assistance is not addressing the cause. It will be imperative that The AJT professionally and systematically submits its findings and suggested remedies (i.e. draft Legislation) to the following key members of the Australian Judiciary, the Australian Parliaments and Academia:
These submissions will be made in strict confidence. Media will not be advised.
It has been said that changes in law can lag up to thirty (30) years behind changes in social requirements. Yet, we believe strongly that our presence and work through our Councils of Review around Australia will undoubtedly serve to fast track the tightening of this gap. Our vigorous and systematic approach to drafting suggested Legislation for review by the Australian Judiciary and Others will prove, in time, to bring about the fulfilment of our primary objective: 'The Delivery of Natural Justice'.
Our strength in numbers and our understanding of legal needs at grassroots and well beyond will cause us to probe deeper into Australian society than any governmental or non-governmental body has ever done before.
The National Constitution of The Australian Justice Tribunal will give you a clear understanding of the structure, powers and purpose of the Organisation and its Councils of Review. The Objectives within the National Constitution will also help to emphasise the extent of national funding required to conduct the reviewing of cases, the legal research and the offering of pro bono legal representation of the highest possible standard to Australians requiring our immediate assistance; assistance when all other avenues of legal redress have failed.
And although the structure of The Australian Justice Tribunal is fully described in the National Constitution, these brief notes are a snapshot of the Organisation.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
The National Executive will at all times administer the national affairs of the Organisation.
THE AJT FUNDRAISING DIVISIONS
There will be one hundred and fifty fundraising divisions established throughout Australia for the
purpose of funding the operational expenses of the National Executive, Councils of Review and
Regional AJT Libraries.
COUNCILS OF REVIEW
There will be seven (7) Councils of Review established throughout Australia. Each Council
of Review will be dedicated to reviewing and acting on public complaints arising primarily from the
conduct of an element within the Australian media, the Australian Public Services, the Legal
Profession and the Australian Judiciary. CASE ASSESSORS will be attached to each
Council of Review for the purpose of prioritising matters to be acted on by Regional AJT Libraries.
A Council of Procedural Review and a Council of Judicial Review will be established within each Council of Review.
REGIONAL AJT LIBRARIES
There will be six (6) Regional AJT Libraries established to provide ongoing Pro Bono legal research,
legal advisory support and legal representation to meet the requirements of Councils of Review
within the Organisation.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The National Executive Council will consist of all Officeholders from within the National Executive
and Executive Members (i.e. Presidents of the Councils of Review and Regional Directors of the
Regional AJT Libraries).
It will be a critical part of The AJT's charter to develop a working relationship with the Legal Profession. It is not our purpose to create a profile of being antagonistic, irrespective of our handling complaints concerning matters of improper practices on the part of legal practitioners and the judiciary.
Naturally, there will be cases we take on that may cause some embarrassment to these professions; but in the main, our willingness, indeed need, to work with the Legal Profession is evidenced in Clause D, Title III - Objectives of the National Constitution.
TITLE III - OBJECTIVES
D. Established Pro Bono Services
The Organisation will act vigorously to ensure that it fosters a working relationship with all legal firms and advocates; many already known to have an established reputation within Australia for their offering of Pro Bono legal services. This working relationship can and must be fostered for the betterment of all Australians needing Pro Bono legal assistance of the highest standard.
And I feel sure that legal practitioners will be interested in understanding just how far The AJT's working relationship with the Legal Profession can go. The tab on this website titled 'Donations' will lead interested readers into 'Corporate Donations - In Kind' - please read.
Funding is the key to a successful not-for-profit organisation and The AJT will be a prime example of that. Here is just a hint of the national fundraising needed to meet the Objectives of the Organisation. And most of that fundraising will be co-ordinated by Underwriting Directors within 150 AJT Fundraising Divisions to be established throughout Australia.
(including eCommerce) |
The AJT compensation for its costs, having won a pro bono legal case. |
Immediate establishment funding of The AJT is currently being provided by myself through the international sale of my eBook autobiography, Beneath The Bench (details available at www.BeneathTheBench.com). And I have personally pledged to continue my financial support into the foreseeable future.
I now invite men and women around Australia to read the National Constitution and to determine where you believe you can be of greatest assistance to us. Most available posts are voluntary, but some begin on a voluntary basis and extend to either contract part-time or contract full-time work.
Not everyone can fill the paid roles of Council Presidents (commerce), Regional Directors (law), Underwriting Directors (fundraising) and their immediate backup staff, but I'm sure there would be many retired legal practitioners, paralegals and former members of the judiciary who would enjoy undertaking the voluntary roles of Case Assessors. And then there are the areas of administration, accounting, counselling - it goes on.
Voluntary and Contract positions are sufficiently defined in the HR section of this website.
I would also extend an invitation to those who wish to make application to sit with me on the National Executive. When these appointments are firmly in place the Organisation will then incorporate. And following incorporation, an application will be submitted to have The Australian Justice Tribunal firstly registered as a community purpose organisation and then as a charitable non-profit organisation. Fundraising will then begin with the advantage of tax deductibility.
For now, it is our intention to establish the Headquarters of The Australian Justice Tribunal in an Australian Capital city; and I speak of cities where over 70 percent of our volunteer supporters work. It is also our wish that these Headquarters be located in office premises offered (donated) rent free by an Australian business - no strings.
Again, it would be our wish that our seven Councils of Review and our six Regional AJT Libraries conduct business in pro bono support of Australians from the rent free office premises donated by businesses throughout six States and the Northern Territory of Australia. Response Please.
To conclude this brief address, I ask firstly, for that strength which I know is synonymous with being Australian. Secondly, I ask that you stand with us at the beginning of this great journey - a journey that will bind us, and in time our nation, with the meaning of these words:
"Justice, sir, is the great interest of man on earth.
It is the ligament which holds civilized beings
and civilized nations together."
My Sincere Regards,
Garth Eaton
National President
The Australian Justice Tribunal