Agency
Magistrates' Court of Victoria
VA 5113
1838 - present
Agency names
Officially known as: Magistrates' Court of Victoria
The Magistrates' Court of Victoria, originally known as the Court of Petty Sessions, was established in 1838. The Court of Petty Sessions heard minor criminal cases, such as those involving drunkenness and street offenses, and the Court of Requests heard civil cases. The Court of Petty Sessions also issued various licenses, such as liquor, auctioneer and stage carriage licenses.
Two kinds of Magistrates presided over the Court of Petty Sessions. The first kind were Police Magistrates, who had some formal training in the law, as well as practical experience. The second kind were Justices of the Peace, known as Honorary Magistrates, who received no formal legal training.
In 1970, the name Court of Petty Sessions was changed to the Magistrates' Court.
The Magistrates' Court carries out a number of functions including hearing criminal and traffic offences, civil disputes, family law, family violence and intervention orders, committal hearings and fines and penalties.
The Magistrates' Court is established by Section 4 of the Magistrates' Court Act 1989. Its civil and criminal jurisdictions place it below the County Court and Supreme Court to which all of its decisions may be appealed.
The Magistrates' Court has no appellate jurisdiction related to the decisions of another Court or Tribunal.
Two kinds of Magistrates presided over the Court of Petty Sessions. The first kind were Police Magistrates, who had some formal training in the law, as well as practical experience. The second kind were Justices of the Peace, known as Honorary Magistrates, who received no formal legal training.
In 1970, the name Court of Petty Sessions was changed to the Magistrates' Court.
The Magistrates' Court carries out a number of functions including hearing criminal and traffic offences, civil disputes, family law, family violence and intervention orders, committal hearings and fines and penalties.
The Magistrates' Court is established by Section 4 of the Magistrates' Court Act 1989. Its civil and criminal jurisdictions place it below the County Court and Supreme Court to which all of its decisions may be appealed.
The Magistrates' Court has no appellate jurisdiction related to the decisions of another Court or Tribunal.
Jurisdiction: Victoria
