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For lawyers

Information in this section provides assistance to legal practitioners who are representing a client in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria.  

Find a court

For screen reader users on mobile, if you are using a keyboard: type in the input field, then switch to Quick nav and move below the input field to access results. A result has to be clicked twice in order to submit the search. If you are not using a keyboard: type in the input field, then tap at the top of the screen and navigate down to the results below the input field. A result has to be clicked twice in order to submit the search.

Which court do I go to?

Practice directions

Practice directions are procedural guidelines issued by the Chief Magistrate that complement existing legislation, rules and regulations.

Case tracking

Cases can by tracked by registering an email address and/or mobile phone number with the Electronic Filing Appearance System (EFAS).

Proper venue

The court user must go to the correct venue for their legal matter. The proper venue may change depending on the legal matter before the court.

Judgments

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria publishes select judgements for the industrial, workcover, civil and criminal divisions on the Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII) website. 

Legislation

Authorised electronic versions of legislation are produced for each new Act and Statutory Rule on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website.

Audio visual links

Parties to a proceeding and accused persons in custody may be able to appear via a video link for a court hearing. The arrangements for organising a video link will depend on the type of matter before the court. 

Electronic Filing and Appearance System (EFAS)

EFAS helps the court organise daily court lists by providing an online system for lawyers to complete key tasks.

Electronic filing of civil documents

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a system-based exchange of documents. It removes the need for lawyers to personally file some civil documents. 

Fees and costs

Legal practitioners must not charge more than fair and reasonable amounts for legal costs.