In line with public health advice in response to COVID-19, the Supreme Court of Victoria published regular updates during and after lockdown, which can be read below.
This page outlined changes to the Court’s operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and is no longer being updated. For recently published Court news and updates visit Latest News on our website.
On this page:
The Court has built on the lessons and technological improvements pioneered during the pandemic and continues to deliver virtual, hybrid and in-person hearings and services.
Some hearings are available for public viewing via live streaming.
The Court will continue to provide updated information on operations as required. You can find the latest updates about COVID-19 and Court operations on this page.
Operational information
7 February 2023 - Operational update - COVIDSafe measures
- 5 September 2022 - Update to the profession - criminal jury trials and other Criminal Division listings
- 27 April 2022 - Operational update - In-person hearings and transitional COVID measures
- 11 April 2002 - In-person admission ceremonies resume
- 3 March 2022 - Operational update - Easing of restrictions and transitional arrangements
- 3 March 2022 - Notice to the Profession - In-person hearings
- 28 January 2022 - Supreme Court operational update - Response to Omicron variant
- 28 January 2022 - Notice to the Profession - In-Person Hearings
- 1 December 2021 - Supreme Court Operational Update - November Easing of Restrictions
- 1 December 2021 - Notice to the Profession - In-Person Hearings
- 19 November 2021 - Easing of Restrictions: Message from the Chief Justice
- 26 October 2021 - Notice to the Profession - In-person hearings
- 8 October 2021 - Vaccination in courts - Message from the Chief Justice
- 1 October 2021 - Vaccination of authorised workers - Message from the Chief Justice
- 9 September 2021 - Easing of restrictions in regional Victoria - Message from the Chief Justice
- 23 August 2021 - Extension of lockdown to regional Victoria and further COVID-19 restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 17 August 2021 - Supreme Court operational update - August lockdown further restrictions
- 17 August 2021 - Further changes to August COVID-19 restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 12 August 2021 - Changes to August COVID-19 restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 6 August 2021 - Supreme Court operational update - August lockdown restrictions
- 6 August 2021 - August COVID-19 restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 28 July 2021 - Supreme Court operational update - End of July lockdown restrictions
- 28 July 2021 - Easing July lockdown restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 16 July 2021 - Operational update 16 July 2021
- 16 July 2021 - New COVID-19 restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 10 June 2021 - Supreme Court Operations update - End of June circuit breaker restrictions
- 10 June 2021 - End of June circuit breaker restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice of Victoria
- 4 June 2021 - Supreme Court Operations update - circuit breaker restrictions
- 4 June 2021 - Extension of COVID-19 Circuit-breaker restrictions - message from the Chief Justice
- 27 May 2021 - COVID-19 Circuit-breaker restrictions - operations update
- 27 May 2021 - COVID-19 Circuit-Breaker restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 25 May 2021 - Additional COVIDSafe measures
- 21 April 2021 - Joint statement on easing of COVID-safe settings
- 12 April 2021 - Revised COVID-safe settings - Message from the Chief Justice
- 19 March 2021 - Resumption of regional criminal jury trials
- 26 February 2021 - New public heath settings
- 17 February 2021 - End of COVID-19 circuit breaker restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 17 February 2021 - End of COVID-19 circuit breaker restrictions - Supreme Court operational update
- 12 February 2021 - COVID-19 Circuit breaker restrictions - Message from the Chief Justice
- 12 February 2021 - COVID-19 Circuit breaker restrictions - Supreme Court operations update
- 4 February 2021 - Advice on the use of face masks in Supreme Court buildings
- 8 July 2020 - Jury trials recommencement delayed
- 6 August 2020 - Joint courts and VCAT statement on Stage 4 Coronavirus Restrictions
- 19 August 2020 - Notice to the Profession - Probate Office
- 21 August 2020 - Operational updates in response to Coronavirus
- 24 August 2020 - Fast-tracking homicide matters to the Supreme Court
- 7 September 2020 - Joint Statement: Victorian Courts and VCAT
- 1 October 2020 - Notice to the Profession - Probate Office - Original Will Requirements
- 21 October 2020 - Resumption of Criminal Jury Trials
- 21 October 2020 - Resumption of Criminal Jury Trials - Q&A
- 14 December 2020 - Special message from the Chief Justice to lawyers admitted to practice on the papers in 2020
- 15 March 2020 - New jury trials suspended from Monday, 16 March
- 16 March 2020 - Admission ceremonies suspended
- 16 March 2020 - Statement from the Chief Justice of Victoria
- 18 March 2020 - Court user survey postponed
- 20 March 2020 - Statement from the Chief Justice of Victoria
- 20 March 2020 - Supreme Court changes in response to COVID-19
- 30 March 2020 - Changes to the Probate Office
- 31 March 2020 - Managing Crimes Mental Impairment Applications during COVID-19
- 31 March 2020 - Registry services updates
- 06 April 2020 - Updates to regional court work and circuit sittings
- 07 April 2020 - Temporary changes to the Winding Up List
- 16 April 2020 - Notice to the Profession - Practice Court (Common Law)
- 16 April 2020 - Notice to the Profession - Urgent Applications in the Commercial Court
- 1 May 2020 - Information about accessing virtual hearings
- 7 May 2020 - Electronic court books for virtual courtrooms