Watch the Supreme Court’s ceremonial sitting in the new Bendigo Law Courts.
The Supreme Court has marked its first attendance at the new Bendigo Law Courts with a ceremonial sitting, with speakers commending the landmark building.
Chief Justice Anne Ferguson, President of the Court of Appeal Karin Emerton and Justice Robert Osborn presided over the ceremonial sitting on Wednesday 5 April.
Speakers Chief Justice Ferguson, President Emerton, Victorian Bar President Sam Hay KC and Juliana Smith of the Law Institute of Victoria praised the multi-jurisdictional building as the start of a new era for the delivery justice in the region.
The building was designed in conjunction with Bendigo’s Traditional Owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung people, and integrates agency support services and best practice technology and witness support.
Watch the recording of the ceremonial sitting.
The bench also heard an application for leave to appeal against sentence related to crimes that were committed in the area.
“This court complex has been designed as a modern court should be; by listening to and looking through the eyes of the users; with systems that work together; and in a calm environment that fosters the best outcomes that justice can deliver,” Chief Justice Ferguson said.
“Inevitably the needs and expectations of users and the people in the community will change with the times. What does not change is the promise we make each day when we open the court; that people will be heard.
“Upholding our promise to listen means that courts must continue to evolve so that we can serve the community to the very best of our ability.”
President Karin Emerton said the new building reflected the evolution of the way courts and tribunals are endeavouring to serve the community.
“The Court of Appeal conducted one of its first regional circuits here soon after its creation,” she said.
“Unfortunately, because of COVID, the Court has not sat in Bendigo since August 2018, which is way too long an absence.
“The Court is very pleased to return and looks forward to many more sittings in the future.”