Courts and tribunals info

Your local generalist CLC can help you with understanding the courts and tribunal system. See the Find a Generalist CLC section of our website to find the location of your local CLC.

Government organisations - Courts

Children’s Court of Victoria
The Children’s Court hears applications relating to the protection and care of children and young people at risk and applications for intervention orders. It also deals with criminal offences committed by young people.

County Court of Victoria
The County Court hears both civil and criminal cases. In the hierarchy of courts it sits above the Magistrates’ Court but below the Supreme Court and hears both new cases and appeals.

Family Court of Australia
The Family Court hears applications relating to family law. Their website has a wealth of information, including a student resource kit, an introduction to family law, a step-by-step guide to proceedings, brochures, do-it-yourself kits and information for children.

Federal Court of Australia

The Federal Court of Australia deals with more than 150 statutes and areas of the law, ranging from admiralty to industrial relations, corporations law, human rights, native title and bankruptcy. The court sits in each state and territory.

High Court
The High Court of Australia is the highest court in Australia. It interprets the law and determines cases with national and constitutional significance and handles appeals from Federal, State and Territory courts.

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
The Magistrates’ Court has criminal and civil jurisdictions. Its criminal jurisdiction deals with less serious criminal matters, eg traffic offences, while its civil jurisdiction deals with matters ranging from family law to workplace safety.

Supreme Court of Victoria
The Supreme Court is Victoria’s superior court. Its Court of Appeal handles appeals from the Supreme Court, the County Court, and several tribunals. Its Trial Division handles commercial, common law and criminal matters.

Government organisations - Tribunals

Administrative Appeals Tribunal
The AAT reviews ministerial and administrative decisions made by Commonwealth government departments, some State government departments and some non-government bodies and determines whether the decision was made in accordance with the applicable law.

Social Security Appeals Tribunal

The Social Security Appeals Tribunal handles appeals against Centrelink decisions. Their site has appeal forms, checklists and information on the appeals process.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
VCAT deals with consumer rights, discrimination, domestic building works, guardianship and residential tenancies. It also handles disputes involving land valuation, business licences, planning and Freedom of Information.

Publications

The Juror’s Handbook

Published by the Victoria Law Foundation, this booklet is a short guide to jury service. Download The Juror’s Handbook for free from the Victoria Law Foundation website.

Your day in court, 2007 (6^th edition)

Published by Victoria Legal Aid, this is a booklet for people who have to go to a Magistrates' Court because they have been charged with a criminal offence. Download Your day in court for free from the Victoria Legal Aid website. You can also call Victoria Legal Aid on 9269 0234 or 1800 677 402 (country callers) to order publications.

PLEASE NOTE: Information on this website does not substitute for legal advice.