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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
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