Complaints process

Complaints about judicial officers or VCAT members

From 1 July 2017, complaints about the conduct or capacity of Victorian judicial officers or the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) members may be made to the Judicial Commission of Victoria. The Commission is an independent organisation established under the Judicial Commission of Victoria Act 2016 to investigate complaints about judicial officers and VCAT members. The Commission provides an accessible and transparent complaint process, which aims to ensure public confidence in Victorian courts and the VCAT is maintained.

Who can make a complaint to the Commission?

A member of the public or the legal profession can make a complaint by filling out the online complaint form available from the Commission's website. The Law Institute of Victoria and Bar Association can also refer complaints on behalf of their members without disclosing the identity of the complainant.

Legal practitioners practising in the Court can request access to transcript and/or a recording of a proceeding before making a complaint. The Protocol for Access to Recordings sets out the process for determining requests for access to recordings relating to judicial conduct.

Which judicial officers can I make a complaint about?

The Commission can investigate complaints about the following judicial officers and VCAT members:

• a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria
• a judge of the County Court of Victoria
• a magistrate of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria
• a magistrate of the Children's Court of Victoria
• a coroner of the Coroners Court of Victoria
• a judicial registrar of the Supreme Court, the County Court, the Magistrates' Court, the Children's Court or the Coroners Court
• a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) member.

What type of complaints can the Commission investigate?

The Commission cannot investigate the correctness of a decision made by a judicial officer or VCAT member - it is not a substitute for the appeals process. The Commission's role is to investigate complaints about the capacity or conduct of judicial officers or VCAT members. For example, complaints about inappropriate conduct in court or matters which may affect the performance of the officer's function.

The Commission cannot investigate complaints about federal courts or tribunals, such as the Family Court and Administrative Appeals Tribunal, nor can it investigate complaints about court or VCAT staff.

What happens after the Commission receives your complaint?

Once the Commission has received and considered a complaint, it will take one of three actions:

1. dismiss the complaint (for example, if it is vexatious, or relates solely to the correctness of a legal decision);
2. refer the complaint to the relevant head of jurisdiction with recommendations about the future conduct of the officer; or
3. if it is a very serious allegation, refer it to an investigating panel appointed by the Commission, which may recommend that the officer or VCAT member be removed from office.

The Commission will advise the outcome of any complaint in writing.

How can I contact the Commission?