In a move that has left many community members and legal professionals stunned, the New South Wales government has announced the closure of its long-standing Community Justice Centre (CJC) program. The decision, which came without prior public consultation or inquiry, will see the free mediation service shut its doors on June 30, 2025, after more than four decades of operation.
A Vital Service Lost
Established in 1980, the CJC program has been a cornerstone of community conflict resolution in NSW. Staffed by a dedicated team of mediators, the service has provided free, confidential, and impartial mediation for a wide range of disputes, including neighbourhood conflicts, family feuds, and small claims matters. With a consistent success rate of around 80%, the CJC has been instrumental in helping countless individuals and communities find peaceful resolutions to their conflicts.
The ability of CJC mediators to settle small claims matters was legendary and essential.
Prof David Heilpern, Dean of Law at Southern Cross University
The closure announcement came via a surprise email to the CJC’s 65 mediators in mid-October, with no public statement from the government. The Department of Communities and Justice later indicated that it would establish an in-house mediation service for legislatively mandated referrals, primarily for applications for Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVOs). However, the future remains uncertain for other types of disputes previously handled by the CJC.
Enshittification in Action
The decision to close the CJC program has been likened to “enshittification,” a term recently named Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year for 2024. Defined as “the gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided,” the concept aptly describes the government’s handling of the CJC.
Over the past decade, the CJC has seen a steady decline in support, with staff reductions, regional office closures, and a shrinking mediator panel. Once a thriving service with around 200 mediators in 2017, the CJC now operates with just 65. Outreach and information sessions with local councils, community legal centres, and other stakeholders have also fallen by the wayside.
The Human Cost of Conflict
The closure of the CJC program is expected to have far-reaching consequences for individuals and communities across NSW. Unresolved disputes can take a heavy toll on mental health, with stress levels increasing the longer a conflict remains unaddressed. CJC mediators have reported a rise in cases involving individuals with mental health issues, underscoring the vital role the service plays in promoting wellbeing.
Without access to free, timely, and effective mediation, many people will be left to navigate conflicts on their own. Private mediation services may be out of reach for those with limited financial means, leaving them with few options for resolution. As a result, the burden on an already strained court system is likely to increase, along with demands for police intervention.
A Short-Sighted Decision
The government’s decision to close the CJC program has been criticized as short-sighted and detrimental to the principles of equal access to justice. While the Department of Communities and Justice has suggested that mediation services are available from other government agencies, many argue that these services cannot replicate the CJC’s specialised expertise and community-focused approach.
Mediation builds goodwill and can preserve – and sometimes even enhance – relationships. This is hugely important when the parties involved have ongoing interactions, such as neighbours and families.
Graeme Gibson, CJC Mediator
The closure also raises concerns about the future of the skilled and committed mediators who have served the CJC program. With their specialized training and experience, these professionals have been instrumental in helping parties navigate complex emotions and reach mutually beneficial agreements. The loss of this talent pool is a significant blow to the state’s conflict resolution capacity.
A Call for Reconsideration
As the June 30, 2025 closure date looms, calls are growing for the NSW government to reconsider its decision. Legal professionals, community advocates, and former CJC clients have highlighted the program’s vital role in promoting social harmony and access to justice. They argue that the relatively modest cost of running the CJC is far outweighed by the social and economic benefits it provides.
In a state where disputes can arise at any time, the value of a free, impartial, and effective mediation service cannot be overstated. The CJC has been a trusted resource for individuals and communities seeking to resolve conflicts peacefully, and its loss will be keenly felt. As one mediator put it, “The biggest losers will be community members, who will no longer have a free, professional and highly effective service for solving conflict.”
It remains to be seen whether the government will heed these calls and reverse its decision. However, one thing is clear: the closure of the Community Justice Centre program will leave a significant gap in NSW’s conflict resolution landscape, and the consequences will be felt far and wide.
