Face-to-face services returning to Victorian courts

From Monday 7 March 2022, face to face services are resuming at many courts in Victoria, as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.

Together with our practice partners, we will be offering more in person services at courts around the state.

The situation at each individual court may be adjusted in response to local events.

But from 7 March 2022:

• duty lawyers will be available for in person criminal law services at most Magistrates’ Court locations
• we are no longer checking clients' vaccination status
• you should continue to wear a mask in all court buildings unless you have a valid exemption
• our staff will be wearing masks and we will offer a mask to clients if they don’t have their own.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or waiting for a test result do not attend court in person.

Information for clients

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

If you have a criminal matter in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and your court date is more than six days away you can request Help Before Court.

You can provide some simple details through our online tool, and a legal assistant will call you to see if we can help you.

If you are eligible for Help Before Court we will make an appointment for you to speak with a lawyer before your day in court.

If your court date for a criminal matter is less than six days away and you have not arranged your own lawyer, you should attend court in person and ask to speak to the duty lawyer.

Some hearings will still be conducted online, including family violence intervention order matters.

If you are not sure what to do, contact the Court listed on your paperwork.

Visit the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria for more information about how Courts are operating during COVID-19.

Children’s Court of Victoria

From 21 March 2022, if you are on bail or summons for a criminal matter in the Children’s Court of Victoria you will need to attend in person unless your lawyer has arranged for an online hearing.

If your court date is more than six days away, you can also use Help Before Court to arrange to speak to a lawyer.  

County Court of Victoria

The County Court has resumed hearing jury trials in person in Melbourne and at circuit court locations. Some other hearings are being conducted online. 

You are still required to wear a mask in all publicly accessible areas of the Court and may need to do a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival at the Court building. You should get to Court early to allow for time to complete the tests.

Visit the County Court of Victoria for more information.

Supreme Court of Victoria

From 14 March 2022 the Supreme Court will operate with a mix of in-person and online hearings.

Everyone attending the public indoor areas of the Court is asked to wear a mask. The court will also use Rapid Antigen Tests as part of its COVID-safe arrangements.

Visit the Supreme Court of Victoria for more information.

Tribunals

The Mental Health Tribunal and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal are continuing to conduct most hearings online.

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

People should only attend the Federal Circuit and Family Court where a judicial officer or the Court has directed that the hearing is to proceed in person.

All court users must be double vaccinated unless exceptional circumstances apply. Masks are required except when speaking to a judicial officer.