SAC 5 Flashcards
Fairness:
all can participate in the justice system, process is fair and impartial.
Access:
to understand legal rights.
Equality:
equal before the law, with equal opportunity to present their case.
Alternative dispute resolution:
Mediation, conciliation, arbitration.
Mediation:
Parties collaborate, mediator guiding negotiations. Decisions made by parties.
Conciliation:
Offers suggestions to resolve matter. Participants make final decision.
Arbitration:
Formal dispute resolution process: listens to both parties, imposing legally enforceable solutions, decision is made on their behalf.
Institutions which resolve civil disputes:
Ombudsman, tribunals, complaints bodies, and the courts.
Ombudsman:
Official body appointed by government to investigate complaints made against certain bodies.
Role of ombudsman:
Provide individuals with independent, timely, accessible dispute resolution to specific industries.
Types of ombudsman:
- Government
- Industry
Tribunals:
Power from parliament to resolve disputes.
- Develop expertise in particular areas of dispute.
- Make decisions binding on parties.
(Low-cost alternative)
Purpose of VCAT:
Provide low-cost, accessible, efficient, independent tribunal.
Complaints bodies:
Service to deal with complaints about the provision of services.
Complaints bodies also:
- Power through parliament.
- Only handle business/services.
- Cannot make binding decisions or conduct hearings.
- Use of conciliation.
Rights and responsibilities of complaints bodies:
- Housing
- Consumer and businesses
- Licensing and registration
- Clubs and fundraising.
Court Hierarchy:
High Court
Supreme Court + (Court of appeal)
Supreme Court + (Trial division)
County Court
Magistrate’s Court of Victoria
(Children’s court, Koori court, Coroner’s court, VCAT, Drug court.)
Role of courts:
Determine liability and decide remedies.
Court processes:
- Formal with rules of professional conduct.
- Follows ‘Evidence Act’ 2008.
What does the court do:
Provide expertise, manage cases, hear appeals.