The Supreme Court will mark its first attendance at the new Bendigo Law Courts with a special ceremonial sitting.
To mark the Supreme Court’s first appearance at the new Bendigo Law Courts, Chief Justice Anne Ferguson, President Karin Emerton and Justice Robert Osborn will preside over a special ceremonial sitting on Wednesday 5 April before hearing an application for leave to appeal against sentence related to crimes that were committed in the area.
The ceremonial sitting will begin at 9.15am and will include a Welcome to Country from the Dja Dja Wurrung with addresses from Chief Justice Ferguson, President Emerton, Sam Hay KC, President of the Victorian Bar, and Juliana Smith of the Law Institute of Victoria.
The ceremonial sitting will be livestreamed.
The Court of Appeal will resume its normal hearing schedule at 10.30am in the matter of Graham Giudice v The King.
The Bendigo Law Courts commenced operation on Monday, 27 February 2023, after being officially opened by the Honourable Daniel Andrews MP, Premier of Victoria, and the Honourable Jaclyn Symes MP, Attorney General. The five-level building includes nine courtrooms, two hearing rooms, two mediation suites, remote witness facilities, safe waiting facilities, dedicated jury areas, and meeting rooms for support agencies and client services.
Speaking at the opening event, Chief Justice Ferguson said the new operating model means that regardless of which court or tribunal a person is attending, they will have access to services in spaces that are calm, secure, and comfortable.
“This building is anchored in Bendigo's heritage, and the culture of Dja Dja Wurrung”, her Honour said.
“The importance of this building is how it functions for the community it serves and shapes their experience of the justice system.”