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THE RECOGNITION OF ABORIGINAL CUSTOMARY LAWS - 737. Charges Heard, Court Sittings.
There is great variation in the number and regularity of court
sittings between the different communities, and also in the number
of charges heard. For example at Kowanyama, Yarrabah and Palm Island
during 1984 the court sat approximately three days a week and heard
approximately 10-30 cases at each sitting. [164] At Edward River the
court sits as required, usually twice a week. During the first six
months of 1984 the court heard 486 cases. [165] At other
communities the courts sit less regularly: at Lockhart River only on
Friday afternoons if required, and at Weipa South not even on a
weekly basis. [166] Many factors account for these variations,
including the significant population differences between the
communities, the fact that in some communities the existence and
operation of the court has become more institutionalised, differing
local attitudes to the effectiveness of the court in resolving
disputes and punishing offenders, the presence in particular
communities of individuals with. sufficient strength or community
acceptance to comprise the court, and the attitude of the executive
officer or resident police officers to the operation of the court.
[167]
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