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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
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