Solution-Focused Courts in Action

The Youth Koori Court is a therapeutic court model focussing on addressing the criminogenic needs of First Nations youth. The Youth Koori Court deals with matters through a holistic approach which consists of conversations around the Bar table with the young person and their support network to offer the young person a feeling of hope. The video below emphasises the work of the Youth Koori Court.

The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria has a range of solution-focused approaches across both the mainstream court lists as well as a range of specialist courts, summarised here. The continuum programs across the court aims to provide the right type and intensity of intervention at the right time for people coming before the court in criminal and family violence jurisdictions. A snapshot video of the Victoria Drug Court, and the Assessment and Referral Court. The Warrumbul Circle Sentencing is a therapeutic court located in the Australian Capital Territory presided over by Special Magistrate Lucinda Wilson where she speaks of her experience below.

The NSW District Court’s Walama List has been operating since 2022. ‘Walama’ is a Dharug word which means to ‘come back’ or ‘return’. In the context of the list, it refers to coming back to identity, community, culture and a healthy, crime-free life. With the consent of the author, we share the following reflection from a Walama graduate of his experience: Walama List – A Reflection. We are grateful for the generosity of the author in sharing these thoughtful words.

Here is a video about the Walama List with Judge Sarah Hopkins, Barbara O’Neill, Emma Hudson-Buhagiar, Anthony Brookman and Rose Khalilizadeh.

The Domestic Violence Court in Alice Springs is a bail program supporting offenders in reducing recidivism rates and allowing a safe space in the court for victims to provide evidence.

Number8 Prison Project is a service that works with Pacifica and Maori people to support reducing recidivism and reintegration into society. N8PP provides a case management and cultural support approach to provide therapeutic solutions.

A specialist therapeutic service – Talking Trouble is an example of the partnership with communities involved in the court process in this video.

The District Court of New Zealand has introduced a number of solution-focussed approaches and specialist lists across the Court, which are summarised on this page: Judges explain some of their work. The New Zealand District Court encompasses the Local Court, District Court, and Supreme Court and cover the criminal, family, care and protection, youth, and some civil jurisdictions.

Te Ao Mārama Best Practice Framework was launched in 2020 by Chief Judge Heemi Taumaunu, New Zealand District Court, in partnership with iwi and communities, to ensure everyone involved in the court process, including participants, victims, and family members, can understand and take part in cases that relate to them. It benefits everyone who attends the court, bringing best practices from specialist courts, into mainstream practice. Te Ao Mārama means the world of light, signalling more enlightened approach to justice. This page provides an overview of the framework, and a video of Chief Judge Heemi Taumaunu, New Zealand District Court, who will be speaking at the Symposium about Te Ao Mārama.

Judge Ida Malosi, Principal Youth Court Judge, New Zealand, who will also be speaking at the conference, presented a CPD in 2025 about Problem-Solving Courts in New Zealand with criminal lawyer Oliver Fredrickson.

The Centre of Justice Innovation published a report in 2025 authored by Oliver Fredrickson, Problem-Solving Courts in New Zealand, outlining the common drivers of contact with the legal system, and the strongest aspects of problem-solving courts and their integration into mainstream courts.