It is claimed by some legal practitioners that the Australian 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 often 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.

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.

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 from the inability of Australians to afford justice.  CASE ASSESSORS will be attached to each Council of Review for the purpose of prioritising matters to be acted on by Regional AJT Libraries.

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.

And here are just two of The AJT's Objectives taken from its post incorporation National Constitution:

3.1    Pro Bono Legal Representation

The Company will act vigorously to ensure that Australians - deemed by the Company to be incapable of affording legal representation and who have exhausted all previous avenues of legal redress - will be provided with Pro Bono legal representation capable of meeting their needs.

AND

3.4    Established Pro Bono Services

The Company wil 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.

On current indications Law firms Australia-wide will continue to express interest in understanding just how far The AJT's working relationship with themselves can go. The tab on this website titled 'Donations' will lead interested readers into 'Corporate Donations - In Kind' - please read.

I have already alluded to the fact that funding is the key to a successful not-for-profit organisation and The AJT is 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 is being co-ordinated by Underwriting Directors within The AJT Fundraising Divisions defined throughout Australia.

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/law), Regional Directors (law), Underwriting Directors (fundraising) and their immediate backup staff, but we know there are many retired legal practitioners, paralegals and former members of the judiciary who would enjoy undertaking the voluntary roles of Case Assessors - some already do.  And then there are the areas of administration, accounting, counselling - it goes on.

Voluntary and Contract positions are sufficiently defined in the Human Resources section of this website.

To conclude this brief address, I ask firstly, for that strength which I know is synonymous with being Australian.  And secondly, I ask that you stand with us in support of all Australians needing our assistance - a journey that will bind us, and in time our nation.

My Sincere Regards,

Garth Eaton
National President
The Australian Justice Tribunal