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County Court of Victoria
Moving Ahead
2006–07
Annual Report

Vision, Objectives and Values
This Annual
Report informs
the community
of the County
Court of
Victoria’s
achievements
in 2006-07
The County Court of Victoria (the Court) represents
the intermediate tier of the state’s court hierarchy.
It is the largest trial court in the state of Victoria.
Our Vision
Our Vision is to be a leader in providing a high
quality, accessible and effi cient court system which
ensures justice for all at least cost to court users
and the community.
Our Objectives
The Court’s three main objectives as stated in the
Court’s Strategic Plan are to:
• maintain a high level of community confi dence
in the Court
• improve access to justice services
• ensure timely disposal of matters in the Court
We embrace these objectives mindful of our
strategic priorities to:
• maintain judicial independence
• achieve a strategic vision for the Court
• promote organisational excellence through
procedural reform
• recognise that our people are important
Our Values
Upon appointment, Judges take an oath of offi ce
to do equal justice to all persons, to discharge the
duties of offi ce according to the law and to act at
all times to the best of their abilities without fear,
favour or affection.
Court staff support the Judges in working to
achieve the Court’s objectives, while conducting
themselves in accordance with the values and
code of conduct of the Department of Justice.
Court staff are committed to being:
• responsive in providing high quality services
• honest, open and transparent
• impartial in decisions and advice
• accountable for decisions and actions
• respectful to others
Staff members commit to serving the judiciary,
the justice system and court users by:
• contributing to the implementation of
improvements to court processes
• maintaining and enhancing currency and
relevance of their work skills
• ensuring they achieve their performance
objectives as Court staff members
The work of the County Court of Victoria is carried out in this impressive building located at
250 William Street Melbourne and at 13 regional courts within the state of Victoria.
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Contents
Year at a Glance 2
Report of the Chief Judge 3
CEO’s message 4
Working with the Community 5
Criminal Jurisdiction 6
Civil Jurisdiction 8
Court Governance 10
Service Delivery and
Sharing our Facilities 16
Judges of the Court 18
Court Links with External
Organisations 19
Operating Statement
and Financial Summary 20
Moving Ahead 21
The Annual
Report should
be read in
conjunction
with information
available on our
website
Supporting the Judges of the Court 12
Judicial Professional Development 14
Members of the legal profession, their clients, court staff and community members move through the publc areas of
the court to attend hearings in any of the 46 court rooms.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au 1

Year at a Glance
Our Role
Finalised 9433 civil
and criminal cases
Conducted reviews
of criminal and civil
jurisdictions (page 6)
Commenced unlimited
civil jurisdiction (page 8)
Our People
Trained Associates in
criminal orders data entry
(pages 13 and 17)
Recognised for
technology development
at the Courts Division
Justice Awards ceremony
(page 13)
Maintained our standing
in the Employee Attitude
Survey (page 13)
Our Facilities
Participated in Smart
Courts program providing
upgraded technology
facilities in several court
rooms (page 17)
Converted several civil
courts for use as criminal
courts (page 17)
2006/07 2005/06 % Change
Total County Court Cases
Commenced 10080 10075 0.05
Finalised 9433 10508 -10.2
Pending 9763 9480 3.0
Overall County Court Clearance Ratio (%) 93.6% 104.3%
Total Civil Cases
Commenced 4909 4800 2.3
Finalised 4830 6016 -19.7
Pending 6014 6180 -2.7
Overall Civil Clearance Ratio (%) 98.4% 125.3%
• Civil Business List Cases
Commenced 1266 1159 9.2
Finalised 1192 1647 -27.6
Pending 1414 1357 4.2
Civil Business List Clearance Ratio (%) 94.2% 142.0%
• Civil Damages List Cases
Commenced 2050 1831 12.0
Finalised 2129 2962 -28.1
Pending 2826 3021 -6.5
Damages List Clearance Ratio (%) 103.9% 162.0%
• Civil WorkCover List Cases
Commenced 1471 1596 -7.8
Finalised 1398 1217 14.9
Pending 1677 1636 2.5
Workcover Clearance Ratio (%) 95.0% 76.0%
• Other Civil Cases
Commenced 122 214 -43.0
Finalised 111 190 -41.6
Pending 97 166 -41.6
Other Civil Clearance Ratio (%) 91.0% 89.0%
Total Criminal Cases
Commenced 5171 5275 -2.0
Finalised 4603 4492 2.5
Pending 3749 3300 13.6
Overall Criminal Clearance Ratio (%) 89.0% 85.2%
• Criminal Trials and Pleas
Commenced 2730 2609 4.6
Finalised 2268 2294 -1.1
Pending 2460 2038 20.7
Trials and Pleas Clearance Ratio (%) 83.1% 87.9%
• Criminal Appeals
Commenced 2441 2666 -8.4
Finalised 2335 2198 6.2
Pending 1289 1262 2.1
Appeals Clearance Ratio (%) 95.7% 82.4%
Adoption Cases
Applications Considered 109 123 -11.4
Adoption Orders Made 106 119 -10.9
Applications Pending 3 4 -25.0
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2
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Report of the Chief Judge
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Criminal Jurisdiction
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We have worked on a number of recommendations to reduce trial delay. We addressed these matters by
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Civil • ing Jurisdiction
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Judges Davis and Anderson led a more streamlined restructure of pre-trial hearings in the civil jurisdiction.
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The number of pre-trial matters coming before the court was reduced with more of these matters dealt with
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on the papers, except where parties sought to have a matter settled before the court (see pages 8-9).
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Quismod Judges Appointed olobor and Farewelled
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Each
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We bade farewell to Elizabeth Curtain upon her appointment to the Supreme Court, and farewelled retiring
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Technological improvements converted nine courts to ‘smart courts’ and three civil courts were converted
for use in crime. We continued to contribute to justice reform initiatives and welcomed many visitors from
both interstate and overseas to the Court.
Our progress in 2006-07 has been dramatic and I thank all judges and court staff for cooperatively facing
a year of signifi cant change which will see us well placed for the year ahead.
Judges and
court staff
cooperatively
faced a year
of significant
change
Chief Executive Offi cer
Michael Rozenes, Chief Judge
*Clearance ratios are expressed in pp.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au 3

CEO’s Message
The past year of dynamic change in the County Court positions us
well for the future. Our relationships with the facility owner, The Liberty
Group (TLG) and with government continued to strengthen. Careful
budget management allowed us to gain maximum benefit from our
resources.
A year of
dynamic change
positions us well
for the future
Our major achievements this year have been in the areas of
technological change and improvement of processes.
Technology
The Court played a signifi cant role in major across-courts development of the Integrated Case Management
System (ICMS) (refer to page 17 for more information).
We rolled out the criminal orders module of the Court’s Case and List Management System (CLMS) to all
Judges and Associates. This was a major initiative with minimum disruption to the smooth running of the
Court (refer to pages 13 and 17 for more information).
Processes
We conducted a major review of Court processes and commenced changes which will signifi cantly impact
on the way we do business in future. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) conducted a review of our criminal
and civil processes to identify causes of delay particularly in the criminal jurisdiction.
Supported by BCG’s recommendations, a successful budget submission resulted in funding for two
additional Judges to address delays in crime. We modernised listing processes in our Registry using
electronic recording to achieve greater transparency, allowing us to more closely monitor our progress.
In the civil jurisdiction we prepared for unlimited civil jurisdiction effective from 1 January 2007 by
establishing the Commercial List pilot in July 2006. The fi rst signifi cant review of civil case management
since implementation of the civil justice initiative in 1996, resulted in effective major changes to civil
processes early in 2007. Judge Anderson and Judge Davis led these changes, supported by registry and
directions court staff.
Employee Attitude Survey
In the 2007 Employee Attitude Survey, we maintained and built on the strengths of the 2006 survey
results. We noted a high rate of engagement of staff; strong motivation; pride in working at the Court and
commendation of the Court as a good place to work. The ongoing commitment of staff is a key to our
success.
Congratulations and thanks to all staff for their hard work during the year.
Neil Twist, Chief Executive Offi cer
4
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Working with the Community
It is not possible to document all
community engagement to which
Judges and court staff committed
themselves in the reporting year.
However the diversity of the ‘hidden’ contributions
the Court makes in the community is evident in
these examples:
• launching publications and presiding at
launches such as the Monash University
Law Students’ Society Careers Guide, the
Specialist Sex Offences Unit, the Child
Witness Service
• contributing as board members of charitable
institutions such as the Guide Dogs Victoria
and Catholic Homes for the Elderly
• serving as trustees on the Royal Melbourne
Hospital Neuroscience Foundation and a
testamentary trust providing scholarships to
tertiary students
• leading committees, for example as
Chairman of Lawdons, a group of lawyers at
Essendon Football Club which raises funds for
disadvantaged persons
The County Court facility was an ideal backdrop
for the exhibition of court drawings by court artist
Glenda Brigham in Waldron Hall. Glenda gave talks
about her work during the exhibition in Law Week
(see photograph below). We are grateful to TLG for
their support of such events.
The Court supported secondary and tertiary
educational programs through tours and
observation of court rooms in action. On occasion,
Judges address school groups from the bench,
providing them with fi rst hand information about
the work of the court. Students of legal studies
regularly visited throughout the year and social
work students from Latrobe University completed
assignments following their visits. The Chief Judge
welcomed new Bar Readers in September 2006
and April 2007 and Judges Wodak, Anderson,
Lewitan, Gaynor, Morrish, Chettle, Parsons and
Howard presided over the Bar Readers Moots in
November 2006 and April 2007.
Judges of the Court spoke at schools, participated
in the Law Institute’s ‘Life in the Law’ program and
addressed meetings of the legal profession both in
Melbourne and regional Victoria, inspiring groups
about careers in the law.
Judiciary and
court staff
engaged
in diverse
community
activities within
and beyond
the court
Above right: Glenda Brigham, court artist, discusses her work with Her Honour Judge Hampel at an exhibition in
Waldron Hall, County Court during Law Week, May 2007.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au 5

Criminal Jurisdiction
The Court
responded
to the review
of listing
processes with
closer judicial
management
As the largest trial court in the state, the County
Court hears criminal cases involving all indictable
offences other than murder, treason and other
murder related offences.
Allocation of Judges
In 2006-07, for the County Court state-wide,
23 Judges were allocated to the criminal list.
This included seven Judges allocated to hear pleas,
three Judges to hear appeals and three Judges
conducted pre-trial hearings.
Overall Performance
Cases initiated fell by 2%, totally 5171 (5275 in
2005-06), comprised:
• 2730 Trials and Pleas (2609 in 2005-06)
• 2441 Appeals (2666 in 2005-06).
Cases fi nalised rose by 2.5%, totally 4603 (4492
in 2005-06), comprised:
• 2268 Trials and Pleas (2294 in 2005-06)
• 2335 Appeals (2198 in 2005-06).
Cases pending rose by 13.6%, totally 3749 (3300
in 2005-06), comprised:
• 2460 Trials and Pleas (2038 in 2005-06)
• 1289 Appeals (1262 in 2005-06).
The overall criminal clearance ratio was 89.0%
compared with 85.2% in 2005-06.
In 2005-06 the clearance ratio for trials and pleas
was 87.9%. This fi gure fell to 83.1% in 2006-07,
while at the same time the number of trials and
pleas initiated rose 4.6%.
In 2005-06 the clearance ratio for appeals was
82.4% rising to 95.7% in 2006-07. This was a
pleasing result for the court given that a rise in the
number of appeals taking more than one day to
complete was noted during this year.
Addressing Delay
In September 2006 the Boston Consulting Group
(BCG) embarked on a review of the effi ciency
of the County Court’s criminal processes with
a focus on reducing delay. Over a period of six
weeks, BCG worked closely with Judges and staff
collating information and making recommendations
designed to address causes of delay.
Acting on Recommendations
from BCG’s Review
Criminal Listing Processes
We modernised our criminal listing processes with
the introduction of electronic diaries to make the
process more transparent and accessible to the
Court. We now have greater fl exibility in managing
pleas and trials, and ready access to vacated
trial dates. Weekly listing meetings, presided over
by the Chief Judge, monitor progress and allow for
pro-active decision making in criminal trial listing.
We published next available criminal trial vacancies
on our website to assist parties and the profession
to plan accordingly.
In following BCG’s recommendations we have:
• gradually increased the number of trials listed
for hearing each week
• more closely manage pre-trial hearings
We collaborated with the Offi ce of Public
Prosecutions, the profession, the Juries
Commissioner and others through regular meetings
of the Criminal Users Group.
Managing the General List
The Chief Judge introduced a triage system to
identify early those cases which would benefi t from
judicial case management and allocated them to
a judge at an early stage. It was initially estimated
that up to one third of cases fi xed for trial would
require close judicial management, another third
would require only minimal management and
the remainder would be subject to usual pre-trial
management. In June 2007, the Chief Judge
observed that fewer cases needed closer judicial
management than had been originally expected.
6 County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Criminal Jurisdiction
Number
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
0
Criminal Cases Overall – 2002-03 to 2006-07
2002-03
Initiated
Finalised
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
Pending
Managing the Sex Offences List
Judge Sexton continued to manage all sex offences directions
hearings for the state and the allocation of special hearings (prerecording
of evidence). The fi rst special hearing in a regional centre
took place on March 5, 2007 at Mildura. It became apparent that the
legislative requirement that special hearings be carried out within
21 days of committal was proving onerous for the Court. At the end
of the reporting year, negotiations had commenced for legislative
change to address this issue.
Other changes during the year
New legislation
In March 2007, Greg Byrne, Director, Criminal Law-Justice Statement
addressed Judges on imminent criminal justice reforms. A broad
range of changes to criminal procedure, investigative powers,
offences and reforms to the Evidence and Bail Acts are currently
contemplated. The Court has regularly been invited to make
submissions and comment on the proposed legislative changes.
Child Witness Support Service (CWSS)
Following the launch by the Attorney-General of the Child Witness
Support Service on the 14th September 2006, close links have
been established between the CWSS and the Court. Tipstaves play
an important collaborative role during the taking of evidence from
children and young people. In addition, court staff supported the
service in implementing special hearings in regional Victoria.
Looking Ahead
In circuit locations the number of older pending cases remains a
concern to be addressed in the next year using more aggressive
management of pre-trial hearings.
In May 2007, following a successful ERC bid, funding was allocated
for two additional Judges to be appointed after July 1, 2007 to
address delay in the criminal jurisdiction.
Plea Intensive
From October 2 to December 8, 2007 in response to the delays in
the hearing of pleas, the Court conducted a ‘plea intensive’. A number
of Judges assigned to general civil work were re-allocated to hear
criminal pleas with priority given to sex offences and cases where
the accused was in custody or a young offender.
Some 139 cases were listed for hearing; 105 proceeded to sentence.
At various times nine Judges contributed to the intensive.
The impact of the intensive is shown in the fi gures for the following
periods:
• October-December 2006, 610 fi nalisations clearance rate 95.5%
• October-December 2005, 455 fi nalisations clearance rate 64.4%
His Honour Chief Judge Rozenes (shown) and Judge Nicholson conduct pre-trial hearings at 9.00am daily in order to
manage the progress of criminal trials coming before the Court.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au 7

Civil Jurisdiction
Service New legislation Delivery
has and effectively Sharing
Our established Facilities
Service unlimited Delivery civil
and jurisdiction Sharing
for Our the Facilities County
Court Service of Delivery Victoria
On 1 January 2007, new legislation established
unlimited jurisdiction in non-personal injury cases,
effectively commencing unlimited monetary civil
jurisdiction for the County Court.
Allocation of Judges
In 2006-07, for the County Court state-wide, 16
Judges were allocated to hear matters in the civil
jurisdiction. Six Judges heard civil trials, fi ve Judges
heard WorkCover/Serious Injury (Section 134AB)
applications, two Judges sat in VCAT, one Judge
was allocated to WorkCover matters, one Judge
sat in the Practice Court and one Judge heard
Directions Hearings.
Overall Performance
Cases initiated rose by 2.3%, totally 4909 (4800 in
2005-06), comprised:
• 1266 Civil Business List Cases (1159 in
2005-06)
• 2050 Civil Damages List Cases (1831 in
2005-06)
• 1471 Civil WorkCover List Cases (1596 in
2005-06)
• 122 Other Civil Cases (214 in 2005-06)
Cases fi nalised fell by 19.7%, totally 4830 (6016 in
2005-06), comprised:
• 1192 Civil Business List Cases (1647 in
2005-06)
• 2129 Civil Damages List Cases (2962 in
2005-06)
• 1398 Civil WorkCover List Cases (1217 in
2005-06)
• 111 Other Civil Cases (190 in 2005-06)
Cases pending fell by 2.7%, totally 6014 (6180 in
2005-06), comprised:
• 1414 Civil Business List Cases (1357 in
2005-06)
• 2826 Civil Damages List Cases (3021 in
2005-06)
• 1677 Civil WorkCover List Cases (1636 in
2005-06)
• 97 Other Civil Cases (166 in 2005-06)
The overall civil clearance rate was 98.4%
compared with 125.3% in 2005-06.
This year fewer civil cases were resolved using
pre-trial methods such as mediation. As a result,
civil actions brought before the Court were more
likely to run to trial.
This year fi nalisations of s. 134AB cases rose
142.9% to 969 (678 in 2005-06) while the number
of initiations fell 2.3% to 1123 (1149 in 2005-06).
For the fi rst time since 2003-04, civil initiations
increased.
The increase in 2006-07 may be an indication that
civil initiations have ‘bottomed out’ following recent
tort law reform.
Adoptions
Thirty-two Judges presided over the 109 adoption
applications (123 in 2005-06) making 106
adoption orders (119 in 2005-06) including 87
orders made in Melbourne (92 in 2005-06) and
19 orders in regional centres (27 in 2005-06).
Case Transfers
The Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991 empowers
courts to transfer cases to a more appropriate
jurisdiction. Judge Davis is the designated judicial
offi cer for case transfers.
During 2006-07, 43 cases were transferred from
this Court to the Supreme and Magistrates’ Courts,
a decrease of 30.1% compared with 62 cases in
2005-06. The court also received 9 applications
where no order was made (11 in 2005-07).
During 2006-07, 108 cases were transferred to the
County Court from the Supreme and Magistrates’
Courts, a decrease of 22.5% compared with 139
cases in 2005-06.
Responding to Change in the
Civil Jurisdiction
Addressing Increased Jurisdiction
In anticipation of unlimited monetary civil
jurisdiction, the Court established the Commercial
List Pilot in July 2006. Judge Anderson headed
the list and immediately prepared a practice note,
addressed the Commercial Bar Association in
July 2006 and received detailed feedback from
barristers. A Commercial List Pilot page was
established on the County Court website and
intensive communication between the Judge’s staff
and registry staff commenced. By the end of June
2007, with a new process in place for conducting
the Commercial List Pilot, case numbers had risen
to 130 initiations and 68 fi nalisations.
8
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Civil Jurisdiction
Number
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Civil Cases Overall – 2002-03 to 2006-07
2002-03
Initiated
Finalised
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
Pending
Acting on the BCG Recommendations
We acted on a number of BCG recommendations: establishing future
direction for case management, forward planning for the practice
court and developing more effi cient listing processes.
Future Direction of Civil Case Management
By December 2006, a structure for future civil case management
incorporating three civil divisions had been established: Commercial
and Business, Compensation, and Damages. From January 2007,
Judges in charge of the lists managed them and allocated cases to
Judges sitting in civil. One Judge was appointed to preside over the
Practice Court for 2007.
Early in 2007, a major review commenced of the civil case
management process: the first review since the implementation of the
civil justice initiative in 1996.
With the appointment of long-serving directions court judge, Judge
Harbison as vice-president of VCAT from early 2007, it was imperative
that the Court address future civil case management urgently.
Judge Anderson and Judge Davis led a major change process
supported by judicial, civil registry and directions court staff.
Effective improvements were quickly put in place and new practice
notes drafted. Practitioners readily embraced the changes. Staff dealt
with the signifi cant changes heroically.
With the aim of achieving a low cost, expeditious resolution of cases
consistent with the demands of justice, the major change was the
setting up of an Administrative Mention procedure. The number of
appearances required in court was reduced and where agreement
existed between parties, orders were made on the papers. Directions
hearings were scheduled only where there was a matter in dispute
requiring judicial intervention. Circuit court matters were included
in these changes, with positive feedback received from circuit
court staff.
Civil Listing Diaries
Manual and duplicative listing processes were replaced with electronic
diaries, the fi rst being rolled out in mid-July 2006. By June 2007,
16 listing diaries, accessible to Judges, registry and judicial staff
were fully utilized. This resulted in a more streamlined operation,
with lists now more transparent and accessible.
Electronic Recording of Outcomes
A successful pilot for civil interim orders module using the CLMS
system was conducted in the Damages List – Medical Division.
Looking ahead, the aim is to roll out the module to all civil
listings staff.
While the ongoing effects of the change in jurisdiction and the
commencement of a Commercial List Pilot are yet to be observed,
the Court has progressed its civil listing and case management
processes in preparation for further developments. Registry staff
will increasingly engage with ICMS as it develops.
Left: Paper fi les are gradually being replaced by documents lodged electronically.
Right: Judge Davis presides over a pre-trial matter brought before the court.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au
9

Court Governance
Service The Executive Delivery
supports and Sharing the
Our Council Facilities of
Service Judges Delivery and the
and Chief Sharing Judge
Our in Facilities judicial
Service administration Delivery
Constitution of the County Court
Under s. 4 County Court Act, 1958, the County
Court is constituted by the Chief Judge, Judges of
the County Court and the Registrar of the Court.
The administration of the law in the Court is the
responsibility of the Council of Judges, which
consists of all Judges of the Court, including Acting
Judges appointed after the commencement of s. 7
of the Courts Legislation (Judicial Appointments
and Other Amendments) Act 2005.
The Jurisdiction of the Court
As the major trial court in Victoria, the Court’s
jurisdiction is as follows:
Criminal Jurisdiction
The Court can hear all indictable offences, except
treason, murder and murder related offences.
The broad range of offences heard includes
serious theft; armed robbery; drug traffi cking and
associated offences; sexual offences; fraud and
dishonesty charges; serious assault and affray;
and income and sales tax offences. Most cases
arise from State legislation, but a proportion of the
cases are based in Commonwealth legislation.
Civil Jurisdiction
On January 1, 2007, legislative changes resulted
in the County Court having unlimited civil
jurisdiction. Cases heard in this jurisdiction include
commercial matters; building disputes; and
damages arising from a wide range of incidents
including medical negligence, serious injury and
defamation. The Court has original jurisdiction in
WorkCover matters.
Criminal Appeals
The Court hears appeals from the criminal
jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court and the
criminal and family divisions of the Children’s
Court.
Adoption and Change of Name
The Court has jurisdiction to make orders relating
to adoption and change of name.
The contrasting photographs showing the old court room at Bendigo (left) and the new state of the art
courtroom at the Latrobe Valley Complex (right) opened in October 2006.
10
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Court Governance
Council of Judges
Pursuant to s. 87(1) County Court Act 1958, the Council of Judges
is required to meet at least once per year to consider the Act and
the Rules, the duties of the offi cers of the court, and to consider
the system of procedure and administration of law in the Court.
The Council of Judges met on three occasions in 2006-07. Matters
considered by the Council included the recommendations of the
BCG Report; court dress; 2005-06 Annual Report; rule changes
(see below); and the internal governance of the court.
Executive of the Council of Judges
The Executive of the Council of Judges supports the Council of Judges
and the Chief Judge in the judicial administration of the court through
its regular meetings. In 2006-07 the Executive met on 20 occasions.
The Chief Judge provides the meeting with a review of matters dealt
with between meetings including correspondence received and sent,
as well as seeking the committee’s views with respect to matters
such as Juries exiting the building after verdict; civil jurisdiction of the
County Court; appointment of associates; proposed Judicial Induction
Program; circuit travel allowances; Criminal Jurisdiction 2007; and
requests to undertake research.
County Court Rules Committee
Members of the Rules Committee met as required to review and draft
revisions to the County Court Rules. Proposed rule changes were
referred to the Council of Judges on November 23, 2006 for adoption
as follows:
County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 19) Rules 2006
These rules provide for freezing and search orders to be harmonised
with like rules in other jurisdictions. The Rules came into effect on
January 1, 2007.
County Court in Regional Victoria
In 2006-07, the County Court continued its commitment to the
regional areas of Victoria at fourteen circuit courts located at
Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Hamilton, Horsham, Latrobe
Valley, Mildura, Morwell, Sale, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool
and Wodonga. In excess of 100 circuit sittings were scheduled with
Judges and staff travelling to the circuit locations to conduct both
criminal and civil matters.
Throughout the year, on average one fi fth of the Judges of the Court
conducted sittings in regional locations.
During 2006-07 cases heard in circuit locations were as follows:
• 1958 cases initiated (2131 in 2005-06)
• 1868 cases fi nalised (2083 in 2005-06)
• 1752 cases pending (1819 in 2005-06).
Highlights and Events
A highlight of the year was the opening of the new Latrobe Valley
Justice Complex at Morwell on October 20, 2006 (see page 10).
This modern complex replaces the former Morwell Court as the
primary circuit court in eastern Victoria.
Staff from Registry and Administration at Melbourne again visited
circuit courts during the year to liaise with staff and to assess
the court environs. As a result, improvements were made in the
information technology area and plans set out for assistance to the
maintenance of the regional court libraries. A very successful senior
registrars’ conference, which afforded the opportunity for Melbourne
and regional staff to discuss matters of mutual interest, was held at
Woodend on November 15-16, 2006.
County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 20) Rules 2006
These rules substitute an increased scale of costs to the Rules.
The Rules came into effect on January 1, 2007.
County Court (Chapter II Amendment No. 2) Rules 2006
These rules make further provision in relation to the confi scation
of property and the proceeds of crime through changes to the
Confi scation Act 1997 and the Proceeds of Crime Act (Cth) 2002.
The Rules came into effect on January 1, 2007.
Members of the Executive of the Council of Judges in discussion (from left) Judge Williams, Judge Cohen,
Chief Judge Rozenes, Judge Punshon, Neil Twist (CEO), Judge Wodak.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au
11

Supporting the
Judges of the Court
Court staff
fulfil their
responsibilities
to support the
Judges in
their work
In 2006-07, the Judges of the Court received
strong support from Associates and Tipstaves in
their day-to-day work. Similar support was provided
by the researchers, library staff, secretaries and
building maintenance staff.
Registry and administration staff contributed
signifi cantly to the support of Judges. As changes
have occured in the ways information is collected,
acted upon and stored, interaction and integration
of the work of various sectors of the Court has
become more commonplace.
The information below highlights major staff
contributions to judicial support during 2006-07.
Regular Meetings between
Registry and Judges
Arising from the BCG recommendations, staff
of the criminal listings area conducted weekly
meetings with the Chief Judge to monitor listing
and timely dealing with cases (see also pages 6-7).
In the civil jurisdiction, registry staff have engaged
with the Judges to implement the changes in pretrial
work in civil (see also pages 8-9). With the
establishment of more transparent record keeping,
Judges have access to information to assist in
listing cases and conducting pre-trial hearings.
Certificate IV in Government
(Court Services)
Registry staff attended the fi rst graduation
ceremony for the Victoria University, Certifi cate IV in
Government (Court Services) qualifi cation on June
8, 2007. This nationally recognised course fi rst
developed in Victoria, is now also available in NSW
and soon to be rolled out in Western Australia.
The Court has been involved in the planning and
development of this Certifi cate qualifi cation through
the Board of Studies (Neil Twist) and Curriculum
Planning Group (Ann Matheson, Registrar) and as
students and lecturers.
Registry Customer Survey
Registry conducted its biennial customer service
survey in February 2007. The survey covered
general registry services and subpoenaed
document inspections. The number of responses
increased this year, possibly because the survey
was posted on the website for the fi rst time.
Responses included the following:
• 94% of respondents were satisfi ed with the
counter service they received
• 85% of respondents found the telephone
service was courteous, responsive and reliable
Left: CLMS orders training in the Training Room.
Right: Associates and tipstaves check the court for readiness for the commencement of the day’s hearing.
12 County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Supporting the Judges of the Court
• 89% of respondents found correspondence to be timely and clear
• 100% of respondents agreed that the Court operating hours
(8.00am to 5.00pm) for subpoena inspection was satisfactory
According to the survey, staff were effi cient, very helpful, friendly, and
resourceful under pressure.
From 2008, the Court will conduct the survey on an annual basis.
Details of the survey results are available on the Court’s website
at www.countycourt.vic.gov.au.
Staff Learning and Development
A number of initiatives provided opportunities for staff to extend their
skills. The IT Training and Development Offi cer developed new courses
(Excel, PowerPoint and advanced Word) and conducted refresher
courses in several IT skill areas. These well-attended courses gave
staff opportunities to improve their skills through a series of short,
small group sessions.
We worked collaboratively to roll out the criminal orders training to
all Associates.
Prior to commencement of training, each Associate was offered
refresher training on the pre-requisite skills. We conducted 15, threeday
criminal orders training sessions between 3rd July 2006 and June
30, 2007. Over 50 Associates gained competence in computer skills
and creating criminal orders and entering these into the CLMS Orders
Module during the year.
At the inaugural Courts Division Justice Awards on March 19,
2007, the team of Hans Wolf, Ross Capuana, Shane Alexander,
Keith Williams, Lynn Germain, Steve Meakes and Adi Sathe was
acknowledged with awards for excellence in the development and
delivery of the County Court Criminal Orders Module training program.
Various other short training sessions were also conducted, including:
•
•
•
•
Managing potentially violent clients
Dr Karda Cavanagh, a medical practitioner, conducted an
information session on maintaining good health in the workplace
Registry staff completed on-line training on the Victims Charter
Advocacy skills training arranged by Judge Hannan with Professor
Hampel and Judge Hampel
All sectors of the court conducted professional development activities
during the course of the year.
Research Unit Service to Judges
The Research Unit continued to undertake a broad range of research
work for the Judges. In April, staff numbers increased to three,
providing much needed additional assistance to the Judges.
The provision of a monthly research requests summary has
increased awareness of the range and complexity of research
undertaken for the Judges.
Secretarial Support
During the year, Judges’ secretaries monitored the amount of work
and the type of work undertaken by them. There has been an increase
in the number of pieces of work submitted using digital dictation and
a decline in hand written copy, signifying the changing nature of the
secretarial work required in this technological age.
Facility Management
The Facilities Manager and his staff continue their responsive service
with respect to email and messages; relocations within the building;
supervision of minor work space changes to ensure adequate and
comfortable offi ce accommodation; and provision of refreshments for
meetings.
Library and Information Services
Updates to the various legislation and loose leaf services for in-court
and chambers use, and updates to the website and supporting
requests for library assistance were carried out with the usual high
degree of effi ciency. Work continued on the collation of sentences and
judgments with the aim of capturing this information electronically
over time. The librarian’s visits to regional courts highlighted the need
to improve the facilities for Judges on circuit.
Employee Attitude Survey
Our strengths included a high rate of staff engagement; strong
motivation; pride in working at the Court and commendation of the
Court as a good place to work. We noted some areas in which we
could improve our performance and these will be included in the
focus of next year’s work.
Staff engagement will be crucial to the implementation of the ICMS
system, as we will be working within a broader integrated courts
environment. Committees and user groups are regularly meeting
with the ICMS staff to plan for the changes.
Left: Associates access electronic information at their work station and in Court.
Right: Tipstaves have formal functions to perform in Court as well as tasks for the Judge in Chambers.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au
13

Judicial Professional
Development
‘The community
expects nothing
less than a
contemporary,
modern and
well-informed
judiciary.’
Attorney-
General,
May 2007
On May 24, 2007 the Attorney-General
in introducing new legislation regarding
professional development for judicial offi cers
said, ‘the community expects nothing less than a
contemporary, modern and well informed judiciary’.
During the year, Judges attended 290 days of
formal professional development conducted by:
the Court at its annual seminar, the Judicial
College of Victoria (JCV) and the National Judicial
Orientation Program.
The Annual Judges’ Seminar
At the County Court Judges Annual Seminar held
from March 7 to 9, 2007, Malcolm Knox, author
of ‘Secrets of the Jury Room’ gave the audience a
perspective of the experience of a trial through the
eyes of a juror; Professor Tim Lindsey, of the Asia
Law Centre, Melbourne University, addressed the
issue of the relationship between Islam and the
Australian legal system; and Dr Karda Cavanagh
provided a most thought provoking discussion on
the health and well-being of the judiciary.
A number of ‘break-out’ sessions promoted lively
discussion. These sessions included Propensity
Evidence, Chronic Pain in Serious Injury,
Sentencing Guilty Plea and Courtesy from Judges.
Participation in Judicial College of
Victoria Activities
Judges of the Court were again strong supporters
the JCV’s work and its programs:
• JCV Board Chief Judge Rozenes
• JCV Syllabus Advisory Committee Judge
Wodak, Judge Wilmoth
• Skills Development Steering Committees
Topics: Court Craft, Judgment Writing,
JOIN Management Group, JOIN Sentencing
Statistics User Group
Judge Lawson, Judge Rizkalla, Judge Wodak,
Chief Judge Rozenes, Judge Strong, Judge
Sexton
• Social Context Steering Committees
Topics: The Lore of Family Violence Training
Packages, Islamic Cultural Awareness
Workshops, Sexual Assault Education
Framework
Judge Hogan, Judge Wilmoth, Judge Sexton
• Substantive Law and Practice Steering
Committees
Workshops: Child Witness Workshop,
Conscientiousness of Guilt Workshop, Charter
of Human Rights and Responsibilities,
Propensity in Sexual Assault Workshop
The new judicial induction program’s fi rst participants were (left to right) Judge Parsons, Judge Pullen,
Judge Howard and Judge Hannan
14
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Judicial Professional Development
Judge Sexton, Judge Coate, Judge Douglas, Judge Gullaci,
Judge Davis, Judge Harbison, Judge Dyett
• Publications’ Editorial Committees
Criminal Charge Book Judge Rizkalla, Judge Douglas,
Judge Pullen, Judge Duggan, Judge Sexton, Judge Punshon
Victorian Sentencing Manual Judge Douglas
Establishment of the
Judicial Induction Program
In August 2006, the Chief Judge introduced a new two-week judicial
induction program, designed to provide newly appointed Judges with
resources and support to ensure a positive introduction to their new
role. The program includes: an information pack of materials; formal
mentoring; time for observation in court; procedural sessions run by
experienced Judges; a formal swearing-in and welcome; and time to
prepare for fi rst sitting in court. The program caters for the needs of
each newly appointed Judge.
During the year, six Judges were inducted using this program.
Feedback has been very positive.
National Judicial Orientation Program
Judge Grant, Judge Parsons, Judge Pullen, Judge Howard, Judge
Hannan and Judge Murphy participated in the National Judicial
Orientation Program held in Sydney in October 2006 and in Melbourne
in May 2007. This national week-long program allows Judges to gain
valuable insight into working as judicial offi cers.
Court Craft Program
Following the successful introduction of the Court Craft program
in 2005-06, three judicial offi cers participated in the program in
2006-07.
The program has two components: participation in a 360 degree
feedback survey and a communication skills workshop.
The aim is to offer Judges insights into how they are perceived by
their peers, what their strengths and weaknesses might be, and
provides opportunities for self refl ection. Following the survey,
participants attended a one-day communications skills workshop to
learn and practise new techniques to enhance their bench skills.
All participants agreed that 360 degree feedback is worthwhile for
judicial offi cers.
Biennial District and County Court Judges
Conference – Perth, June 26-July 1, 2007
35 Judges travelled to attend the conference with judges from all
Australian states and New Zealand.
The keynote address was given by Richard Bourke, barrister, the
Louisiana Capital Assistance Centre, USA on Life, Death and the Law.
The program provided opportunities to challenge current thinking and
consider new ideas about judicial work.
Other Conference Attendances
Among the conferences attended by Judges in the reporting year were:
24th AIJA Annual Conference
Chief Judge Rozenes, Judge Curtain, Judge Wodak and Judge
Anderson attended this conference held in Adelaide from 15 to
17 September 2006. The focus of the conference was ‘Affordable
Justice’. Sessions included measuring Court performance from a
quality perspective; causes of delay in the criminal justice system;
alternatives to adversarial hearings and sentence indications; and
funding civil litigation.
Judicial Conference of Australia Colloquium
This annual colloquium was held in Canberra from 6 to 8 October,
2006. Topics considered included Judicial Ethics in the 21st Century;
Court Governance and Judicial Independence; Suppression Orders;
and Judicial Appointments. The Court was represented by the Chief
Judge and Judge Curtain.
Judges’ Contribution to Professional
Development within the legal profession
The Chief Judge spoke with each new group of Bar Readers during
their professional program to welcome them as barristers who
will shortly be appearing in court and to encourage them in their
professional development. Judges also presided over moots
conducted as part of the Bar Readers course.
Several Judges participate each year in ‘Life in the Law’, a program
sponsored by the Law Institute of Victoria which provides young legal
practitioners the opportunity to engage with senior and successful
members of the profession.
Judicial Offi cers Information Network web site.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au 15

Service Delivery
and Sharing our Facilities
Service The Delivery modern
facilities and Sharing of the
Our building Facilities lend
Service themselves Delivery to
and sharing Sharing the
resources Our Facilities of the
Service Court complex Delivery
The modern facilities of the building lend
themselves to sharing the resources of the Court
complex. During 2006-07, the Court welcomed
many visitors, hosted several functions as well
as conducting the day-to-day Court hearings.
Visitors and events at the Court included:
• The Honourable Nancy Gertner, United States
District Court at Boston
• Royal Government of Bhutan Ministry of Finance
• Judge Sang Ryeol Shin, Supreme Court of
Korea
• Justice Sang-Moo Lee, Criminal Law Court in
the Pohang Province South Korea
• Her Honour Judge Eriko Kawajiri, Tokyo District
Court, Japan
• The Honourable Judge Brook Hedge, Superior
Court of the District of Columbia, USA
• Launch of the Offi ce of Public Prosecutions
Specialist Sex Offences Unit by the Attorney-
General on April 26, 2007
• Representatives of the West Australian District
Court met with Court staff in April, 2007.
The delegation was keen to seek advice about
transition arrangements, following our very
successful transition in 2002, to assist in
planning their move to a new Court building
under a Public Private Partnership arrangement
• The Court hosted a two-day Koori
Court Workshop in September 2006.
Representatives from the County Court,
the Department of Justice and the Koori
community discussed the current Koori
experience in the County Court. This workshop
was an historic and very successful fi rst
step towards a collaborative approach to
implementing a specialised jurisdiction and
support function in the County Court
• On Thursday 29 March, 2007, Judges and
staff from Her Majesty’s Courts Service United
Kingdom viewed the Court’s eFiling product
• Ross Capuana, Application Services Manager,
Courts IT Group, hosted the inaugural ‘Courts
Case Management Networking Group’ forum
on 23 and 24 November 2006
Court Rooms
The Court continued to utilize court rooms with
a high degree of concurrence with the annual
reservation statement. In 2006-07, court room
usage exceeded forecast by 64 days. This result
is due to reservations required to account for
court room conversions and the use of the
County Court facility for Supreme Court trials.
See graph page 17.
The Court Complex is especially busy as clients and legal practitioners attend early morning pre-trial
hearings followed by criminal and civil cases scheduled in the 46 court rooms each day.
16
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Service Delivery and Sharing our Facilities
No of Courtroom Days
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Cumulative YTD Court Usage 2006-07 Financial Year
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Monthly Usage
Monthly Reserved
eFiling
We continued our promotion of eFiling to the profession to extend
electronic accessibility. In March 2007, legal fi rms in Geelong and
Warrnambool were revisited resulting in four fi rms from these cities
signing up with CITEC (the Court’s eFiling provider). A highlight this
year has been the increase in diversity of eFiled documents. The
graph below shows the consistent increase in eFiling since 2003-04.
Looking to the future, the eFiling group has written an options
paper which will chart the future direction of eFiling for the Court in
conjunction with our commitment to ICMS.
30
eFiling Trends for 2003-07
By early 2007, the ‘smart courts’ upgrades to the technology video
conference infrastructure had been completed in nine Melbourne
Court rooms, along with upgrades in regional courts.
These changes, along with the conversion of three civil jury courts for
use as crime courts early in 2007, have provided greater fl exibility in
court usage.
Circuit Libraries
During the year Library and Information Services Manager, Ian
Edwards, reviewed circuit library facilities with a view to assisting
future management of those libraries.
Integrated Courts Management System (ICMS)
Our involvement with ICMS continued through the established user
reference groups and presentations. The Honourable Judge Brook
Hedge addressed Judges in April 2007 on the database on which the
ICMS database is modelled at the Superior Court of the District of
Columbia. Matt Dalton (ICMS staff) presented the new ICMS system
to Associates during the March seminar.
The benefi ts of the system include its integrated approach to a single
case management system for courts with a standard technology
platform and applications, and a range of eServices through a single
access point using high tech courtrooms.
25
20
15
10
5
0
2003-04
Total % eFiled
Melb % eFiled
2004-05
Establishment of the Photocopy Unicard System
A Unicard photocopy system was introduced in September, 2006.
This new service allows customers to purchase a reusable photocopy
‘credit’ card from vending machines located in the Registry area.
This facility serves the many users who attend the Court to inspect
subpoena documents under Order 42.10.
Electronic Listing Diaries
Circuit % eFiled
2005-06
2006-07
Following the recommendations arising from the BCG report, the
Registry established electronic trial listing diaries in both civil and
criminal jurisdictions. The benefi ts include transparency of the listing
process, accessibility for entering information into the system and
ready staff access to information. The publication of criminal trial
list vacancies on the website has made the listing process more
accessible to parties in criminal matters.
Left: Community members gather each morning to await possible selection as jurors.
Right: The daily lists are readily accessible to visitors to the court.
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au
17

Judges of the Court
Judges as at 30 June 2007
Date of Appointment
His Honour Chief Judge Michael Rozenes 25 November 2002
His Honour Judge John King Nixon 3 March 1981
His Honour Judge Leonard (Len) Sergiusz Ostrowski 20 September 1983
His Honour Judge James (Jim) Thomas Duggan 12 December 1984
His Honour Judge Leo Richard Hart 19 March 1985
His Honour Judge Michael Desmond Higgins 3 June 1988
His Honour Judge Michael John Strong 6 September 1988
His Honour Judge John Henry Barnett 30 January 1990
His Honour Judge Roland Gwyllam Williams 10 February 1994
His Honour Judge Frederick George Davey 6 April 1994
His Honour Judge Edward Charles Stuart Campbell 7 June 1994
His Honour Judge David Ernest Morrow, R.F.D. 7 June 1994
His Honour Judge Michael Gerard McInerney 21 June 1994
Her Honour Judge Margaret Ann Rizkalla 11 July 1994
His Honour Judge Thomas Gideon Wodak 16 August 1994
His Honour Judge Francis Julian Shelton 5 September 1994
His Honour Judge William Rex White 28 February 1995
His Honour Judge Anthony Philip Duckett, O.B.E. 22 March 1995
Her Honour Judge Marilyn Blanche Harbison 5 February 1996
His Honour Judge Timothy Mark Holt 7 October 1997
Her Honour Judge Carolyn Dianne Douglas 7 October 1997
His Honour Judge Tim Deneys Wood, R.F.D. 2 December 1997
His Honour Judge Ian Campbell Robertson 19 January 1998
His Honour Judge Graham Richard Anderson 17 March 1998
His Honour Judge Lansell David Pilgrim 7 April 1999
Her Honour Judge Pamela Dawn Jenkins 21 April 1999
Her Honour Judge Jennifer Ann Coate 22 June 2000
His Honour Judge John Richard Bowman 20 February 2001
Her Honour Judge Rachelle Ann Lewitan, A.M. 16 May 2001
Her Honour Judge Julie Ann Nicholson 3 July 2001
His Honour Judge Graeme Geoffrey Hicks 20 August 2001
His Honour Judge John Arthur Smallwood 20 August 2001
Her Honour Judge Susan Michele Cohen 20 August 2001
Her Honour Judge Meryl Elizabeth Sexton 20 August 2001
Her Honour Judge Frances Elizabeth Hogan 2 October 2001
Her Honour Judge Irene Elizabeth Lawson 26 March 2002
His Honour Judge Giuseppe Gullaci 4 June 2002
His Honour Judge Michael Patrick Bourke 10 September 2002
Her Honour Judge Elizabeth Mary Gaynor 10 September 2002
His Honour Judge Phillip James Coish 10 September 2002
His Honour Judge Kenneth Ross Howie 22 October 2002
Her Honour Judge Jane Anne Campton 22 October 2002
His Honour Judge Roy Francis Punshon 8 April 2003
Her Honour Judge Wendy Anne Wilmoth 8 April 2003
His Honour Judge Geoffrey Thomas Chettle 2 December 2003
Judges as at 30 June 2007
Her Honour Judge Frances Millane 2 December 2003
Left: commodi onullan diatum aute esequis digna vel dunt onullan diatum aute esequis digna vel dunt.
Date of Appointment
Her Honour Judge Sandra Sabrina Davis 26 October 2004
Her Honour Judge Felicity Pia Hampel 9 February 2005
Her Honour Judge Jeanette Gita Morrish 9 August 2005
His Honour Judge Julian Peter Leckie 9 August 2005
His Honour Judge Paul Douglas Grant 26 April 2006
His Honour Judge David Anthony Parsons 22 August 2006
Her Honour Judge Susan Elizabeth Pullen 22 August 2006
His Honour Anthony John Howard 3 October 2006
Her Honour Judge Lisa Anne Hannan 3 October 2006
His Honour Judge Michael Damian Murphy 24 October 2006
Her Honour Judge Maree Evelyn Kennedy 1 May 2007
Acting Judges
Date Of Election
His Honour Judge Chester Stewart Keon-Cohen 3 August 2001
His Honour Judge John Anthony Dee 31 August 2001
His Honour Judge Graeme Reuben Glover Crossley 31 July 2003
His Honour Judge William Michael Raymond Kelly 29 November 2005
Acting Judges
Date Of Appointment
His Honour Judge Barry Robert Dove 22 January 2003
His Honour Judge Gordon David Lewis, A.M. 31 May 2004
His Honour Judge Francis Gilbert Dyett 1 May 2005
His Honour Judge Leslie Charles Ross 4 May 2005
Registrar
Date Of Appointment
Ms Ann Matheson 24 May 2004
Appointments, Deaths And Retirements
His Honour Judge S P Gebhardt
22 August 2006
retired as a Judge
His Honour Judge D A Parsons
22 August 2006
appointed as a Judge
Her Honour Judge S E Pullen
22 August 2006
appointed as a Judge
Her Honour Judge E H Curtain
3 October 2006
elevated to the Supreme Court
His Honour Judge A J Howard
3 October 2006
appointed as a Judge
Her Honour Judge L A Hannan
3 October 2006
appointed as a Judge
Her Honour Judge J M Pannam
7 October 2006
retired as a Judge
His Honour Judge B H Stott
20 October 2006
retired as a Judge
His Honour Judge M D Murphy
24 October 2006
appointed as a Judge
His Honour Judge F B Lewis
28 November 2006
retired as an Acting Judge
His Honour Judge J R Hanlon passed away 26 January 2007
Her Honour Judge M E Kennedy
1 May 2007
appointed as a Judge
Right: commodi onullan diatum aute esequi adiat aute vel commodi onullan diatum aute esequi adiat aute vel.
18
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Court Links with
External Organisations
Judges of the Court contribute to external committees, tribunals and
working parties. The short list (at June 2007) below provides some
insight into the diverse involvement of the Court in the wider justice
community. Judges also meet internally to respond to requests for
submissions and comment on a wide range of justice matters.
Tribunals and Boards
Judge
Courts and Tribunals Committees
Judge
Adult Parole Board
Judge Douglas
Courts Consultative Council
Chief Judge Rozenes
Judge Rizkalla
Council of Legal Education
Chief Judge Rozenes
Forensic Leave Panel
Judge Gaynor
Judge Wilmoth
Judicial College of Victoria
Judge Gullaci
Chief Judge Rozenes
Integrated Courts Management System (ICMS)
Judicial Committee
Chief Judge Rozenes
Racing Appeals Tribunal
Judge Nixon
Judicial Assistance Committee
Judge Campton
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Youth Parole Board
Judge Williams
Judge Nicholson
Judge Hicks
Judge Bowman
Judge Harbison
Judge Barnett
Legal Precinct Masterplan Committee
Sexual Assault Advisory Committee
Court User Groups
Technology Committee
Chief Judge Rozenes
Chief Judge Rozenes
Judge Sexton
Judge Jenkins
Judge
Judge Bourke
Building List User Group (Chair)
Judge Shelton
Professional Organisations
Judge
Commercial List User Group (Chair)
Judge Anderson
Australian Institute of Judicial Administration
(AIJA) Council
Australian Institute of Judicial Administration
(AIJA) Education Committee
Chief Judge Rozenes
Judge Wodak
Criminal User Group (Chair)
Litigation Lawyers Group (Chair)
Medical List User Group (Chair)
Chief Judge Rozenes
Judge Davis
Judge Wodak
Judicial Conference of Australia
Judge McInerney
Judicial College of Victoria Syllabus Advisory
Committee
Judge Wodak
Judge Wilmoth
Legal Aid Consultative Committee
Judge Williams
Judge Robertson
National Judicial Orientation Program Steering
Committee
Judge Wodak
Victorian Law Reform Commission
Judge Coate
Judge Hampel
Judge Ross
Forensic Leave Panel
Judge Davis
Judge Gaynor
Judge Pullen
Judge Howard
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Judge Sexton
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au 19

Operating Statement and
Financial Summary
The County
Court Operating
Statement is
consolidated
into the
Department of
Justice Annual
Report
The Operating Statement and Financial Summary
sets out the revenue (in the form of fi nes and
fees collected) and operational expenditure of the
Court for the year ended 30 June 2007, including
comparisons with 2005-06 (see below). Victorian
Government Departments are required to produce
their annual reports in accordance with Standing
Direction 4 Financial Management Reporting of
the Financial Management Act 1994. Information
from the County Court is consolidated into the
Department of Justice Annual Report.
The following explanatory comments are offered:
Special Appropriations
• The salaries and on costs for Judges were
affected by the appointment of one (1)
additional Judge in August 2006 to support
the Sexual Offences List
• The Judicial Remuneration Tribunal (JRT)
recommendation for a salary increase for
Judges was implemented
Annual Appropriations
• The impact of the Victorian Public Service
Agreement 2004 provided for a general salary
increase
• Effi ciencies in operating expenditure were
offset by salary and associated expenses of
judicial staff supporting sitting Reserve and
Acting Judges
Annual Provisions
Capital Purchases include a cost component for
Finance Lease Repayments, Motor Vehicles. For the
fi nancial year 2006-2007, the cost was $333,095,
compared with $171,376 for the previous fi nancial
year. This increase is due to the Court’s fl eet cars
being paid through the VicFleet lease arrangements
which are paid from Annual Provisions.
Operating Statement for the year ended June 30, 2007
2006-07 2005-06
$ $
Collection of Fines and Fees
Court Fines 381,389 329,781
Court Fees 4,711,962 5,121,625
Total Revenue 5,093,351 5,451,406
Operational Expenditure
Judicial Salaries and On-Costs 17,660,191 17,073,090
Output Expenditure, comprising:
Staff Salaries and On-Costs 10,042,586 9,788,401
Operating Costs 3,192,547 2,988,881
Capital Purchases 405,499 187,434
Total Operational Expenditure 31,300,823 30,037,806
$’000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Collection of Fines and Fees (Consolidated Funds)
– 2005-06 to 2006-07
2005-06
Court Fines
Court Fees
2006-07
$’000
Operating Expenditure – 2005-06 to 2006-07
18000
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
2005-06
Judicial Salaries and On-Costs
Operating Costs
2006-07
Staff Salaries and On-Costs
Capital Puchases
20
County Court of Victoria 2006/07 Annual Report

Moving Ahead
The County Court of Victoria: delivering fair and accessible
justice to all Victorians.
Next year will be an exciting and busy year for the Court as members of the Judiciary
as well as Court staff continue to engage with professional bodies; support community
organisations; and share knowledge and expertise with students in Victoria and overseas.
Our strategic priorities and major initiatives for the coming year include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The development of a new 3-year strategic plan
The engagement of a County Court Communications Manager
The completion of the work on levels 8 and 9 to provide 8 more courts expected to
conclude in early 2008
Ongoing review of the implementation of the BCG recommendations
Transition of the County Court website to a new platform
Working towards the establishment of a Koori Division of the County Court
Continued strong communication links with all regional Courts
Ongoing support and development opportunities for staff
Increased community use of the Court for events, such as the Readers’ Feast Crime
& Justice Festival and an exhibition of artworks during Law Week
Continued focus on streamlining court procedure and reducing delay
•
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au 21

County Court of Victoria
250 William Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Telephone: 8636 6510
www.countycourt.vic.gov.au
Printed on recycled paper