Courts as empathic spaces: reflections on the Melbourne neighbourhood justice centre

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article draws from and reflects on some of the key results of the three-year evaluation of Australia’s first and only Neighbourhood Justice Centre (NJC) based in Melbourne, Victoria. It explores how the relationship between the court and other dimensions of the NJC set the tone for client-centred but fully accountable approaches to dealing with criminal matters. While the physical design and layout of the NJC properly lend themselves to therapeutic outcomes, it is argued that the commitment to particular principles – in particular, an empathic and respectful approach to NJC client engagement – is of key importance for doing ‘real’ justice.