Civil matters
The Magistrates’ Court can hear civil disputes up to the value of $100,000 arising from debts, claims for damages, other monetary disputes or equitable relief.
The Magistrates’ Court can hear civil disputes up to the value of $100,000 arising from debts, claims for damages, other monetary disputes or equitable relief.
A civil matter starts when a person or organisation - called the plaintiff - files a complaint with the court. The person or organisation who the complaint is against is called the defendant.
You will be known as the defendant if you respond to a civil complaint.
When a court order is made without a hearing, it is called a default judgment. This occurs when the defendant does not respond to a complaint.
If you do not agree with a final order or were not in court when a final order was made, you may be able to appeal or apply for a rehearing.
Service is the legal term to describe the giving of court documents by one person to another.
You can apply for a court order to help with the procedure and preparation of a case.
A division of the Magistrates’ Court that deals with disputes by an employee against an employer.
A division of the Magistrates’ Court that generally deals with disputes between an employee and their employer or the Victorian WorkCover Authority.
Under the Fences Act 1968 the property owner and the neighbour are equally responsible for any dividing fence.
The Magistrates' Court of Victoria publishes select civil judgments on the Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII) website.
Click here to see a list of civil and general fees charged in the Magistrates' Court.