Updates to some Registry services due to coronavirus.
Last update 21 March 2020
The Supreme Court of Victoria is closely following federal and state government advice regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you have been impacted by coronavirus and you are required to attend court soon for any Supreme Court matter statewide, please notify the Registry by calling the Prothonotary on 03 8600 2023.
Registry operations
The Supreme Court’s registries remain open and operational, however, the Court seeks the cooperation of all court users to minimise unplanned in person attendances at the registry counters.
From 1 April 2020, the Court will be encouraging attendance at a Supreme Court Registry or the Probate Office by appointment. Please telephone the Registry Services team or the Probate Office to discuss possible alternatives to in person attendance or to make an appointment. The Registry Services team and Probate Office can be contacted on 8600 2000.
If in person attendance is necessary, special arrangements are in place to reinforce social distancing. In order to adhere to recommended hygiene practices any documents presented for filing in person may only be able to be processed the following day.
Filing of document and practice changes - Probate Office
On 30 March 2020 the Chief Justice issued a Notice to the Profession that dispenses with the requirement to file an affidavit of searches in support of an application for probate or administration and directs that all applications and the filing of documents in Probate related matters must be sent via post to:
Registrar of Probates
Supreme Court of Victoria
PO Box 13331
Law Courts
Victoria, 8010
Filing of documents in all other divisions of the court is via www.redcrest.com.au
Court of Appeal – application books and combined folder of authorities
Please contact the Court of Appeal registry via telephone on 8600 2001 or email at pbnertvfgel@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@yrtsigeraoc to arrange a suitable time to deliver or collect these materials.
File Searches
We have updated existing practices to assist with file searches during this time. Read further information on searching Court records and obtaining copies of documents.
Subpoena inspections
The appointment times to view subpoenaed material are between 9.30 am and 11.00 am. During the period of the pandemic restrictions, parties should only request an appointment for urgent matters. Requests for an appointment in urgent matters can be made by sending an email to fhocbrnanf@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@sanaeopbus .
Any concerns regarding the ability to comply with subpoenas should be directed to the issuing party.