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A number of courts and tribunals operate in Victoria. The role of courts is to interpret the laws, decide who is right or wrong in a dispute and sentence people who have broken the law.
As well as the courts, there are tribunals. Tribunals are usually less formal than courts and can be a faster way to resolve disputes.
Access to Commonwealth courts and tribunals, and those in other states, is available on the Australian Courts and Tribunals page.
Use the links on the left to access information on the following courts and tribunals.
Victorian courts
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the superior court in Victoria, and hears and determines substantial criminal and civil matters.
County Court
The County Court hears both middle tier criminal matters and civil disputes.
Magistrates' Court
The Magistrates' Court hears summary and some indictable offences. The civil jurisdiction of the Magistrates' Court deals with disputes arising from claims for damages, debt and other monetary demands up to $100,000, and applications for intervention orders.
Children's Court
The Children's Court is a specialist court with two divisions dealing with matters involving children and young people.
Coroner's Court
The Coroner's Court investigates the cause of death in certain circumstances such as sudden or accidental death.
Neighbourhood Justice Centre
The Neighbourhood Justice Centre (NJC) is Australia's first community justice centre. The NJC brings together a multi-jurisdictional court with a wide array of support services, providing comprehensive support for victims, witnesses, defendants and local residents.
For more information see Neighbourhood Justice Centre (new window).
Victorian tribunals
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) provides assistance to victims of violent crime, where the crime occurred in Victoria.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hears and determines disputes about: the purchase and supply of goods and services; consumer credit; discrimination; domestic building works; legal practice matters; residential tenancies; retail tenancies; and owners corporations (body corporate). VCAT also deals with matters relating to guardianship and administration.
Municipal Electoral Tribunal
A Municipal Electoral Tribunal is governed by a magistrate who is appointed by the Attorney-General, to consider disputes arising from local government elections. Tribunals are constituted under the Local Government Act 1989, and are intended to provide a forum for the settling of such disputes.
For more information see Magistrates' Court of Victoria – Municipal Electoral Tribunal (new window).
Statutory authorities
A statutory authority is an agency which has the right to enact legislation for specific areas of the law.
Judicial College of Victoria
The Judicial College assists the professional development and continuing education of Victorian judicial officers by developing and conducting judicial education programs and producing relevant publications.
For more information see the Judicial College of Victoria website (new window).
Sentencing Advisory Council
The Sentencing Advisory Council (SAC) provides statistical information on sentencing, including information on current sentencing practices, and conducts research on sentencing matters.
For more information see the Sentencing Advisory Council website (new window).
Specialist courts
The Department of Justice also provides the following specialist courts. A specialist court aims to provide improved outcomes for people appearing in court as well as for the community.
Drug Court
The Drug Court is a specialist division of the Magistrates' Court. The Court is responsible for sentencing and supervising the treatment of drug or alcohol dependent offenders who have committed an offence when affected by drugs, or to support their drug/alcohol habit.
For more information see Department of Justice – Drug Court (new window).
Family Violence Court Division
Family Violence Court is a division of the Magistrates' Court. The court specialises in hearing family violence cases and provides additional support services for victims of family violence.
For more information see the Family Violence – Enough website (new window).
Koori Court
The Koori Court is responsible for the sentencing of Koori defendants who plead guilty and who choose to have their matter heard in the Koori Court. The Koori Court aims to increase participation by the Koori community in the Court process, encourage defendants to appear in Court and reduce re-offending.
For more information see Department of Justice – Koori Court (new window).
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