Statement from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Chief Judge of the County Court
This news article may contain information that has since been updated or revised. To view current changes to Court operations related to COVID-19 visit the coronavirus information page.
The Supreme Court and the County Court (the Courts) have been monitoring public health advice on a daily basis.
Preparations were underway for some criminal jury trials to recommence in Melbourne from 20 July 2020. In light of the most recent developments, the Courts have decided to postpone this recommencement.
Those summonsed for jury service will be notified and the Courts will contact parties in the cases that were to proceed in coming weeks.
The Courts are currently working on identifying a proposed recommencement date and further advice will be provided as soon as possible.
The Courts will continue to use technology to conduct a range of hearings and will take active steps to ensure all the criminal work that can be progressed is progressed to minimise the backlog.
All Victorian courts and VCAT continue to operate during this period.
Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and Chief Judge Peter Kidd said that “The decision to postpone resumption has been taken in light of public health advice and in the best interests of the Victorian community.”
“We are conscious of the impact of this decision and will continue the work to ensure that everything necessary is in place for the resumption of criminal jury trials as soon as it is appropriate to do so.”
“We thank all of those who have been contributing to those preparations across government and the profession.”