What is the Homeless Persons' Court Project?
The Homeless Persons' Court Project is looking at ways to better facilitate access to justice for homeless people through Victoria's criminal justice system, including by examining the feasibility of a specialist homeless persons' court or list.

A homeless persons' court would adopt a 'problem solving court' approach to delivering justice.  Problem solving courts work with other criminal justice institutions and community-based service providers (such as health and social service providers) to address the underlying issues of an offenders' behaviour, such as homelessness, mental illness or drug addiction.

Get involved!
The Project will be running community consultations throughout July and August 2004 to discuss issues such as:

• Homeless peoples' experience in the court system;
• The particular difficulties that homeless people face in the court system;
• Ways to make the court process more accessible and fairer for homeless people;
• Whether a homeless persons' court or list is a good idea.

You can contribute to the Project by responding to the Homeless Persons' Court Discussion Paper, participating in an interview, or participating in a forum discussion.

In particular, we would like to hear from:

• People who are homeless or formerly homeless and who have been required to attend court; and
• Homeless agency workers who have experience dealing with homeless clients in who have been required to attend court.

To contribute to the consultation process, please contact Beth Midgley at homelesscourt@yahoo.com.au or phone (03) 9225 6684 for more information.

People who are homeless or formerly homeless will be paid $20 for their input and expertise.

How will your contribution help?
The Victorian Attorney General is currently investigating ways that problem solving court approaches can improve the delivery of justice through the court process in Victoria. The Project will submit a report to the Attorney General outlining ways that problem solving court approaches can be used to respond to the particular needs of homeless people.  Your contribution will ensure that the experiences of homeless people are heard through this process.