The court will run as a four year pilot and provide an alternative sentencing process for Indigenous offenders.

The legislation to establish the court in Morwell was tabled in State Parliament yesterday by Attorney-General Rob Hulls.

According to Mr Hulls, this will be the first time in Australia that a Koori Court will operate in a higher jurisdiction.

``Victoria's Koori Courts do not create a separate justice system, the sentencing options are the same as in the mainstream courts and the judge retains authority,'' Mr Hulls said.

``Offenders must plead guilty to be eligible for Koori Courts, plain language is used and the defendant sits at an oval table with the judge, prosecutor and elders and respected persons.

``The elders ability to shame, humble and help Indigenous offenders, combined with a Magistrate's sentence, has proven to be a hugely successful approach.

``The County Koori Court's jurisdiction will be the same as the County Court's, however sexual and family violence offences will be exempt,'' Mr Hulls said.

This model has been trialled in Shepparton and Broadmeadows and according to Mr Hulls has proven successful.

The evaluations found significantly reduced repeat offending rates of 12.5 to 15.5 per cent, compared with a general rate of 29.4 per cent.

``We know that Koori Courts are working to decrease recidivism (repeat offending) among Indigenous offenders and increase Indigenous participation in the administration of the law,'' Mr Hulls said.

``However, there is still significant over-representation of Indigenous people in Victoria's justice system and we must address this.''

The Express previously reported that The Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place for Koori offenders on community-based orders at Yarram would provide an important sentencing option for the County Court.

Mr Hulls said the Latrobe Valley would be used as a base to enable the County Koori Court to service the entire Gippsland region.

If warranted, County Koori Court sessions may also be held in Sale and Bairnsdale.

The government has allocated $590,000 for the development of the Koori Court pilot. Once the pilot is completed it will be determined whether the model will be expanded to other County Court locations.