An introduction to the courts

Understanding our laws and courts

Sources of Australian law
Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law
Finding the law
Law reform
More information about where our law comes from
The constitutions
Where our laws come from: Contacts

An introduction to the courts: Contacts
Introduction to our court system
Victorian state courts
Commonwealth courts
Tribunals
Making a complaint about a judge or magistrate
Juries
Legal documents

Legislation and guidelines relating to sentencing in the Magistrates’ Court
Sentencing orders available to the Magistrates’ Court
Pre-sentence reports
Victim impact statements
Defendants with disabilities
Commonwealth offences
Sentencing in the Magistrates’ Court: Contacts

Terms defined
What matters can the Children’s Court hear?
Legal representation in the Children’s Court
Hearings at the Children’s Court
Adjournment, deferral and group conferencing
Diversion
Sentencing in the Children’s Court
Committal proceedings in the Children’s Court
Criminal appeals against Children’s Court decisions
Detention and parole for young people
Child protection
The Children’s Court: Contacts

Contributors

Gregory Connellan

Magistrate

Ben Lindner

Barrister

Making a complaint about a judge or magistrate

Complaints about a judge or magistrate can be made to the Judicial Commission of Victoria (see ‘Contacts’ at the end of this chapter). Created by the Judicial Commission of Victoria Act 2016 (Vic), the Judicial Commission is an independent body that investigates complaints about Victorian judicial officers. For more information about making a complaint, see the commission’s website (www.judicialcommission.vic.gov.au).