The following update is from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.
The Victorian courts and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will adjust their operations with the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria, excluding Greater Shepparton, from tomorrow.
The Courts will use a mixture of in-person and remote hearings in regional locations. For the time being, VCAT will continue to conduct remote hearings only. COVID-Safe plans are in place in all locations for in-person hearings. Given the continued public health restrictions in Melbourne, there will be a considered approach to in-person hearings that would require travel of individuals from Melbourne into the regions. New jury trials will re-start in some regional locations in the week of 20 September, following COVID-Safe plans.
Arrangements in Metropolitan Melbourne remain unchanged.
“As we have since the onset of the pandemic in March last year, we will continue to hear matters across Victoria in line with applicable public health measures to protect against the spread of COVID-19,” Chief Justice Ferguson said.
“We thank all who work with and in our Courts for their goodwill and patience.”
Please check the websites of each jurisdiction for jurisdiction-specific changes.