Courts Council

The Court Services Victoria Act 2014 establishes a governance model, directed by the judiciary, which gives CSV both independence and a clear focus on supporting the functions of the judiciary.

The Courts Council is CSV's governing body and comprises the Heads of Jurisdiction and independent members appointed by the Council. The Council is responsible for directing the strategy, governance and risk management of CSV. It is the principal administrative policy making body for CSV with respect to the administrative support provided to the Jurisdictions.

The members of the Courts Council are:

The Honourable Chief Justice Anne Ferguson, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (Chair)

His Honour Chief Judge Peter Kidd, Chief Judge of the County Court

The Honourable Justice Greg Garde AO RFD, President of VCAT

His Honour Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen, Chief Magistrate

Her Honour Judge Sara Hinchey, State Coroner

Her Honour Judge Amanda Chambers, President of the Children's Court

Dr Philip Williams, Non-Judicial Member

Portfolio Committees

To ensure full and effective governance arrangements, the Courts Council is supported by a series of portfolio committees. This structure supports effective governance, providing that key functional areas are monitored and directed with sufficient detail and oversight. 

Each committee is lead by a Council member and is composed of judicial members representing the various jurisdictions. The Directors of CSV's operational Division play a key role in supporting and advising the committees, however the key objective of the portfolio committees is to provide for judicial oversight of CSV operations. 

The portfolio committees are:

• Finance Portfolio Committee
• Audit & Risk Portfolio Committee 
• Information Technology Portfolio Committee 
• Human Resources Portfolio Committee
• Strategic Planning, Infrastructure and Services Portfolio Committee 
• Courts Koori Portfolio Committee

The portfolio committees play an important role in overseeing CSV operations and in providing a multi-jurisdictional forum that allows for fulsome discussion on matters of CSV strategy and policy. The ability of the portfolio committees to debate operational issues and to settle on a recommended course of action is integral to the effective functioning of the Courts Council.