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.

Our primary objective is to get there before 'post traumatic stress disorder' takes hold, causing such irreparable damage. And if we can't get there first then the second part of our role is to salvage what little hope remains and strengthen it with the Natural Justice formerly denied.

Again, this is not a dramatic portrayal of a severe endemic problem which has endured throughout the history of our nation; a problem that responsible Law firms have been addressing for years through the offering of pro bono (free) legal assistance.

But these Law firms can only work within the reasonable limits of their available resources; resources that need to include - among other expenses - the cost of staff who dedicate pro bono time to their financially exhausted clients. Regrettably, there is much more to be done, particularly within civil jurisdictions.

The National Constitution of The Australian Justice Tribunal (The AJT) 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 fundraising 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 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 our 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 National Constitution:

The primary objective of the Company is to provide Pro Bono legal assistance to Australians who are victims of injustice or who are being denied Natural Justice causing sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune or helplessness.

In general, Complainants seeking legal assistance will have exhausted avenues of competent legal redress and will be incapable of affording legal representation either protracted, or in many instances, otherwise.

3.4    Established Pro Bono Services

The Company wil act vigorously to ensure that it fosters a working relationship with all law 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.

I have already alluded to the fact that fundraising is the key to a successful not-for-profit organisation and The AJT is a prime example of that.  Most of our fundraising will be co-ordinated by our Associate Directors (Corporate Fundraisers) and Underwriting Directors (essentially Event Managers) within The AJT Fundraising Divisions defined throughout Australia.

Here is just a hint of the national fundraising needed to meet the Objectives of the Organisation:

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), Associate and 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.  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
Chairman
The Australian Justice Tribunal