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Courts & tribunals

Our law comes from the Commonwealth Government and the State Government of Victoria. The courts decide what these laws mean and use the laws to resolve disputes between people. Courts also sentence people who break laws.

In Victoria there is the Magistrates' Court, the County Court, the Supreme Court the Children's Court.

The Federal Magistrates Court, Family Court and the High Court are Commonwealth courts.

As well as the courts, there are tribunals. Tribunals are less formal than courts and are usually a quicker and cheaper way of resolving disputes. Often people involved in a case at a tribunal will be able to represent themselves.

See ‘Victoria’s courts & tribunals’ and ‘Commonwealth courts & tribunals’ (links below) for information about specific courts and tribunals.

More information

Attending court as a witness

Going to court for an intervention order hearing

Family law & the courts

Going to court for traffic offences

Victoria's courts & tribunals

Commonwealth courts & tribunals

Related publications

Just in case

Road to court

Your day in court

How we can help

Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

VLA’s other free legal services include:

  • advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
  • lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals.

For some matters we can provide you with a lawyer to help you run your case.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.