About Us

Jurisdiction of the Court

As the major trial Court in Victoria, the Court’s jurisdiction is as follows:

Civil Jurisdiction

The County Court has original jurisdiction in all civil matters. 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 is also able to hear Workcover matters.

The Court's civil jurisdiction also covers actions where jurisdiction is specifically conferred on the County Court by statute:

 For more information about Victorian Acts and Regulations, please visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website - http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/

Criminal Jurisdiction

The County Court can hear all indictable offences, except treason, murder and related offences. The broad ranges of offences dealt with include serious theft, armed robbery, drug trafficking, sexual offences, fraud and dishonesty offences, culpable driving, serious assault and income and sales tax offences. The majority of offences arise under Victorian legislation, however the Court also deals with a number of offences under Commonwealth legislation.

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. The Court also has jurisdiction to hear appeals under both the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 or the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010.

Adoption

The Court has jurisdiction to make orders relating to adoption.