Common Law Division

The County Court has announced a series of changes to operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are 10 lists within the Common Law Division, each with its own judge in charge. The lists are: General; Adoptions, Surrogacy and Name Changes; Appeals and Post Sentence Application; Applications; Confiscation; Defamation; Family Property; Medical; Serious Injury; and WorkCover.

Court Services Victoria is committed to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of all employees, judicial officers, key partners and court users.

The Common Law Registry works with the judiciary, legal practitioners and court users to progress matters before the court.

Parties can request a directions hearing if they are unable to resolve a matter in its preliminary stages.

Access a wide range of guidance material designed to help you represent yourself in legal proceedings.

Case transfers in common law matters are dealt with under the Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991 (the Act), allowing cases to be transferred between the Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts.

Access forms related to adoptions, case transfers, subpoenas and general common law.

A compromise application is filed in proceedings where a settlement has been reached but a party to the proceeding is either deceased, has a disability preventing them from making decisions or is a minor.

Access the list of civil fees, costs and charges, how payment can be made, and the requirements to have a fee reduced.

Learn more about adoption and parentage.

Learn about legal documents compelling a witness to attend Court to give evidence, or a person (or company) to produce documents for evidence.

Find the correct contact for your enquiry within the Common Law Division.