The largest Indigenous legal organisation in the country has revealed its new governance model, including a new constitution and board, in the wake of a tumultuous 18 months.

As first reported by National Indigenous Times on Wednesday, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) last month quietly appointed four new directors after a mass resignation at the end of August.

On November 27 at its AGM, NAAJA members approved a new constitution, opening membership to all Indigenous people in the NT, as well as reducing the number of directors from 16, to a maximum of eight, with, for the first time, three independent specialist directors joining five community directors.

Four community directors were initially appointed at the AGM: Carol Dowling, Bobby Wunungmurra, Theresa Roe, and Joyce Taylor.

"This is a new chapter for NAAJA," a NAAJA spokesperson said. "After a period of instability in the last 12 months, the recent governance and management changes will enable NAAJA to move forward."

Expressions of interest for the other positions have been advertised and NAAJA said appointments will be considered at the next directors' meeting, along with the election of a new chairperson.

A spokesperson for NAAJA said the new directors will "together undertake a tailored governance course in March 2025".

The AGM also saw NAAJA announce the appointment of a new chief financial officer, who will commence in the role on December 16, to lead the organisations financial management and reporting, as well as the introduction of a new accounting system.

"More than ever the Northern Territory requires a strong NAAJA, and these changes will ensure NAAJA is best placed to represent the interests of Aboriginal people," they said.

The organisation has offices throughout the NT and has been outspoken in treatment of Indigenous Territorians as a result of over-policing and punitive government policies.

This has only increased since the new NT government introduced legislation to lower the age of criminal responsibility to ten, against expert advice.

However, NAAJA has faced significant criticism and turmoil over the last months, which culminated in the organisation last month apologising "without reservation" to ousted chief executive, Priscilla Atkins, after the Federal Court ruled in June she had been unlawfully sacked.

Furthermore, NAAJA faced significant criticism for appointing Arrernte man Hugh Woodbury as chairperson and director despite being aware of his previous domestic violence charge.

There was no conviction recorded for Mr Woodbury, who pleaded guilty to the charges from 2020.

He stood down months later as chair, and according to both NAAJA's own website, and the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission, he is also no longer a director.

They have also gone through six acting chief executives since the dismissal of Ms Atkins in 2022.

In August, former acting deputy chief executive, Leeanne Caton - who stood down in June after only five months in the role - began circulating a petition among current and former NAAJA staff calling for a vote of no confidence in the board.

The petition noted there was a real worry Aboriginal children will be further entrenched in the justice system after the new NT government announced plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10.

"Without NAAJA, clients will be dealt with by Non-Aboriginal Legal service providers," it said.

Last week, the NT Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said whilst she awaited the "formal confirmation" of NAAJA's AGM outcomes, "we expect the entire board has stepped down to enable a fresh start".

"It is critical that NAAJA has good governance, we will watch this, and if they aren't able to solve their issues, we will look for alternatives and re-direct funding to ensure full-service delivery," she said.