What you need to know
The Magistrates’ Court has changed the way it works because of COVID-19 coronavirus. Due to COVID-19 and the restrictions in Victoria, the court has been adjourning (moving) most hearings to a later date. This has now changed and there are five things you need to know:
- Hearings are happening across Victoria but most will happen online, without you needing to go to a court. In regional Victoria, hearings are starting from 19 October 2020. In metropolitan Melbourne, hearings started from 9 November 2020.
- Except for urgent family violence matters, you must not attend your local court without contacting them first and getting permission to attend.
- You must contact the court or your lawyer, if you have one, about your hearing before the hearing date.
- The court is using a program called WebEx for online hearings.
- If you are not sure about your rights, or whether you must go to court, you can get legal advice. See Other support.
How do I know when my case is listed?
If you are represented by a lawyer, the court will give them your new hearing date. You can contact your lawyer to find out your new hearing date.
If you don’t have a lawyer you should receive a letter and/or a text message from the court telling you your next hearing date.
If you haven’t received a letter or a text message you can search your case .
If you can’t find your hearing date, contact your local .
How will my court case work?
The court is hearing most cases online. The court is using a program called WebEx for online hearings.
You, or your lawyer if you have one, must contact the court at least three days before your court date to let the court know if you are ready to go ahead with your case.
If you don’t have a lawyer, you can get help with your court case. Use our Help Before tool to prepare for your court case or see Other support.
Do I need to go to the court building?
Unless you have spoken to someone at the court and been told you are allowed to attend in person, you must not go to your local court.
The court has made special rules about hearings for people who are not in custody. Most hearings will be online, using a program called WebEx.
Even if you do not go to your local court for your hearing, you still need to participate in your hearing by joining the online hearing using WebEx.
You can access WebEx on a computer, tablet or smartphone. For more information about how to use WebEx, see How does an online hearing work?
Some people will need to go to court, rather than do an online hearing. If you think that you need to attend in person, you must contact your local court to discuss this. If you have a lawyer, you should also talk to them about going to court or doing an online hearing.
How does an online hearing work?
To join an online hearing, you need an email address and access to the internet. You can use your own email address and internet, or you can ask someone else to help you access email and use the internet.
The court or your lawyer will provide you with a link via email. You can join a hearing by clicking on this link using a computer, laptop, tablet or even a mobile phone. You do not need to download an app.
Read our:
Or for more information about how to use WebEx see the WebEx user on the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria website.
What if I am on bail?
You need to keep following your bail conditions until your next court date. If you do not follow your bail conditions, you could be arrested and put in custody until your hearing.
Your court date might be changed and if it is, the court will automatically extend your bail to the new court date. You must participate in your court hearing but this is likely to be online.
If you are worried about your bail conditions or need to change them, you should get legal advice. See Other support.
What if I my contact details change?
If you change your address or telephone number, it is important to tell the Magistrates’ . The court will need to contact you to tell you when your hearing will be.
If you are on bail, you must tell the police immediately if you change your address or telephone number.
It is also important to tell your lawyer if your contact details change, so they can let you know when your hearing will be and to discuss your case with you.
More information
Learn more about how the court is operating at the Magistrates’ Court .
Learn more about legal issues and COVID-19 coronavirus.
Read our page about Going to court for a criminal charge.
Read our page page Family violence intervention orders.
Where to get other support
Use this Help Before tool to prepare for your court case
See Other support for COVID-19 coronavirus
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Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.
We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Reviewed 11 May 2022