County Court of Victoria
Encyclopedia
The County Court of Victoria (formally 'the County Court') was established in 1852 by the County Courts Act 1852. The court has jurisdiction in the State of Victoria, Australia. Its role has since changed significantly.
The current Chief Judge of the County Court is His Honour Chief Judge Michael Rozenes
QC
, a former Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
which had been established in 1846. The Court's principal purpose was to handle small civil claims, and eventually this role evolved (with the partnering of the Court of General Sessions) into both civil and criminal jurisdiction in 1968. Since that time, the Court's jurisdiction has increased considerably.
, murder
and manslaughter
, which are heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria
.
The County Court also hear appeals from the Magistrates' Court regarding criminal cases. These are hearings de novo
. (Civil appeals from the Magistrates' Court are only permitted on a point of law and are heard in the Supreme Court Appeals Division.) All decisions of the County Court except appeals from the Magistrates Court can be appealed in the Supreme Court Appeals Division.
The County Court has its headquarters on the corner of William
and Lonsdale
Streets in Melbourne
. The County Court building in Melbourne is owned by Challenger Financial Services
. It also does circuits to the following locations:
The current Chief Judge of the County Court is His Honour Chief Judge Michael Rozenes
Michael Rozenes
Michael Rozenes AO QC is the Chief Judge of the County Court.- Early life :Rozenes was born in Sosnowiec, Poland and migrated with his family to Australia when he was three years old. Rozenes was educated at the North Caulfield State school and then at Brighton Grammar School...
QC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, a former Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
History
The Victorian County Court (which holds the same level of seniority as the District Courts in other states except Tasmania) was formed in 1852 as the court for the County of Bourke. It was modelled on the British County CourtsCounty Court
A county court is a court based in or with a jurisdiction covering one or more counties, which are administrative divisions within a country, not to be confused with the medieval system of county courts held by the High Sheriff of each county.-England and Wales:County Court matters can be lodged...
which had been established in 1846. The Court's principal purpose was to handle small civil claims, and eventually this role evolved (with the partnering of the Court of General Sessions) into both civil and criminal jurisdiction in 1968. Since that time, the Court's jurisdiction has increased considerably.
Civil
The civil jurisdiction of the County Court (in Victoria) extends to:- All claims for personal and non-personal injuries and losses, irrespective of the amount claimed.
- Claims against municipal councils for loss or injury sustained while upon or using roads, land, buildings under the control of the council or municipality.
- Actions where jurisdiction is specifically conferred on the County Court by a statute. The list includes: the Administration and Probate Act, the Adoption Act, the Cluster Titles Act, the Property Law Act, the Settled Land Act, the Strata Titles Act, the Transfer of Land Act & the Trustee Act.
Criminal
The County Court is the general trial court for Victoria. It has jurisdiction to hear all indictable criminal matters except treasonTreason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
, murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
and manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
, which are heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria
Supreme Court of Victoria
The Supreme Court of Victoria is the superior court for the State of Victoria, Australia. It was founded in 1852, and is a superior court of common law and equity, with unlimited jurisdiction within the state...
.
The County Court also hear appeals from the Magistrates' Court regarding criminal cases. These are hearings de novo
Trial de novo
In law, the expression trial de novo means a "new trial" by a different tribunal...
. (Civil appeals from the Magistrates' Court are only permitted on a point of law and are heard in the Supreme Court Appeals Division.) All decisions of the County Court except appeals from the Magistrates Court can be appealed in the Supreme Court Appeals Division.
County Court judges
| Name | Date Appointed |
|---|---|
| Chief Judge Michael Rozenes Michael Rozenes Michael Rozenes AO QC is the Chief Judge of the County Court.- Early life :Rozenes was born in Sosnowiec, Poland and migrated with his family to Australia when he was three years old. Rozenes was educated at the North Caulfield State school and then at Brighton Grammar School... |
25/11/2002 |
| Judge Jim Duggan | 12/12/1984 |
| Judge Leo Hart | 19/3/1985 |
| Judge Michael Strong* | 6/9/1988 |
| Judge John Barnett | 30/1/1990 |
| Judge Roland Williams | 10/2/1994 |
| Judge Edward Campbell | 7/6/1994 |
| Judge David Morrow | 7/6/1994 |
| Judge Michael McInerney | 21/6/1994 |
| Judge Margaret Rizkalla | 11/7/1994 |
| Judge Thomas Wodak | 16/8/1994 |
| Judge Frank Shelton | 5/9/1994 |
| Judge Bill White | 28/2/1995 |
| Judge Marilyn Harbison | 5/2/1996 |
| Judge Tim Holt | 7/10/1997 |
| Judge Carolyn Douglas | 7/10/1997 |
| Judge Tim Wood | 2/12/1997 |
| Judge Ian Robertson | 19/1/1998 |
| Judge Graham Anderson | 17/3/1998 |
| Judge Lance Pilgrim | 7/4/1999 |
| Judge Pamela Jenkins | 21/4/1999 |
| Judge Jennifer Coate Jennifer Coate Jennifer Coate is an Australian judge, and the current State Coroner of Victoria. She is the first woman to be appointed to the position. Until 2006, she served as the first President of the Children's Court of Victoria.-Early life:... ** |
22/6/2000 |
| Judge John Bowman | 20/2/2001 |
| Judge Rachelle Lewitan | 16/5/2001 |
| Judge Julie Nicholson | 3/6/2001 |
| Judge Graeme Hicks | 20/8/2001 |
| Judge John Smallwood | 20/8/2001 |
| Judge Susan Cohen | 20/8/2001 |
| Judge Meryl Sexton Meryl Sexton Judge Meryl Sexton is a Judge of the County Court in Victoria, Australia, appointed in August 2001.-Early life:Sexton graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics. She completed her articles at law firm Cody Dwyer & Associates and was admitted to practice law... |
20/8/2001 |
| Judge Frances Hogan | 2/10/2001 |
| Judge Irene Lawson | 26/3/2002 |
| Judge Giuseppe Gullaci | 4/6/2002 |
| Judge Michael Bourke Michael Bourke The Rt Rev Michael Gay Bourke was the third Bishop of Wolverhampton from 1994 until 2007. Born on 28 November 1941 he was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and Ripon College Cuddesdon and ordained in 1967... |
10/9/2002 |
| Judge Liz Gaynor | 10/9/2002 |
| Judge Phillip Coish | 10/9/2002 |
| Judge Ross Howie | 22/10/2002 |
| Judge Jane Campton | 22/10/2002 |
| Judge Roy Punshon | 8/4/2003 |
| Judge Wendy Wilmoth | 8/4/2003 |
| Judge Geoff Chettle | 2/12/2003 |
| Judge Frances Millane | 2/12/2003 |
| Judge Sandra Davis | 26/10/2004 |
| Judge Felicity Hampel Felicity Hampel Felicity Pia Hampel SC was a prominent Australian human rights lawyer and, since 2005, judge of the County Court of Victoria. Hampel's career as a barrister began in 1981, and she became a Senior Counsel in 1996.... |
9/2/2005 |
| Judge Jeanette Morrish | 9/8/2005 |
| Judge Julian Leckie | 9/8/2005 |
| Judge Paul Grant | 26/4/2006 |
| Judge David Parsons | 22/8/2006 |
| Judge Sue Pullen | 22/8/2006 |
| Judge Tony Howard | 3/10/2006 |
| Judge Lisa Hannan | 3/10/2006 |
| Judge Damian Murphy | 24/10/2006 |
| Judge Maree Kennedy | 1/5/2007 |
| Judge Chris O'Neill | 24/7/2007 |
| Judge Duncan Allen | 21/8/2007 |
| Judge Iain Ross | 23/10/2007 |
| Judge Philip Misso | 11/12/2007 |
| Judge Katherine Bourke Katherine Bourke Katherine Louise Bourke is an Australian lawyer and judge. She has been a Judge of the County Court of Victoria since December 2007.-Biography:Judge Bourke was born in Melbourne on 5 July 1961. She is one of five children, all girls, of Dr John Bourke AM.... |
11/12/2007 |
| Judge Jane Patrick | 15/4/2008 |
| Judge Peter Wischusen | 15/4/2008 |
| Judge Paul Lacava | 27/5/2008 |
| Judge Frank Gucciardo | 27/5/2008 |
| Judge Mark Taft | 29/9/2008 |
- Judge Michael StrongMichael StrongMichael Strong was an American stage, film and television actor.He was born Cecil Natapoff in New York City and had extensive stage experience. He was a member of the Actors Studio. Among his film credits are Point Blank, Patton, and The Great Santini...
is currently at the Office of Police Integrity. - Judge Jennifer CoateJennifer CoateJennifer Coate is an Australian judge, and the current State Coroner of Victoria. She is the first woman to be appointed to the position. Until 2006, she served as the first President of the Children's Court of Victoria.-Early life:...
is currently the Victorian Coroner.
Locations
William Street, Melbourne
William Street is a major street in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs roughly north-south from Flinders Street to Victoria Street, and is located in the western half of the Hoddle Grid....
and Lonsdale
Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Lonsdale Street is located in the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, part of the Hoddle Grid, it runs roughly east-west. Lonsdale Street's eastern end intersects with Spring Street while its western end intersects with Spencer Street. It is home to multiple office buildings, courts,...
Streets in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. The County Court building in Melbourne is owned by Challenger Financial Services
Challenger Financial Services
Challenger Limited is an Australian diversified financial services company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The principal activities of the company are in funds and asset management....
. It also does circuits to the following locations:
- BairnsdaleBairnsdale, VictoriaBairnsdale is a small city in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. With a population at the 2006 census of 11,282, it is a major regional centre of eastern Victoria along with Traralgon and Sale....
- BallaratBallarat, VictoriaBallarat is a city in the state of Victoria, Australia, approximately west-north-west of the state capital Melbourne situated on the lower plains of the Great Dividing Range and the Yarrowee River catchment. It is the largest inland centre and third most populous city in the state and the fifth...
- BendigoBendigo, VictoriaBendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
- GeelongGeelong, VictoriaGeelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...
- HamiltonHamilton, VictoriaHamilton is a city in western Victoria, Australia. It is located at the intersection of the Glenelg Highway and the Henty Highway...
- HorshamHorsham, VictoriaHorsham is the largest city by population and regional centre of the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia and is approximately north-west of Melbourne via the Western Highway. At the 2006 census, Horsham had a population of 14,125. Horsham is in the federal Division of Mallee...
- MilduraMildura, VictoriaMildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia and seat of the Rural City of Mildura local government area. It is located in the Sunraysia region, and is on the banks of the Murray River. The current population is estimated at just over 30,000.Mildura is a major agricultural centre...
- MorwellMorwell, Victoria-Transport:The main form of transport in Morwell is the automobile. The Princes Freeway now bypasses the town to the south while the old Princes Highway which once passed through east-west through its centre is now Princes Drive and Commercial Road. The highway connects Morwell with other...
- SaleSale, VictoriaSale is a city in the Gippsland region of the Australian state of Victoria. It is the seat of the Shire of Wellington as well as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sale and the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland. It has a population of around 13,336, and is expected to reach a population of 14,000 soon...
- SheppartonShepparton, VictoriaShepparton is a city located on the floodplain of the Goulburn River in the north east of Victoria, Australia approximately north-east of Melbourne. It is the fifth largest city in Victoria, Australia. The estimated population of Shepparton's statistical area is 48,926.It began as a sheep station...
- WangarattaWangaratta, VictoriaWangaratta is a cathedral city of almost 17,000 people in the northeast of Victoria, Australia, about from Melbourne along the Hume Highway, with Benalla to the southwest, and Albury-Wodonga to the northeast. It is located at the junction of the Ovens and King rivers which flow from the...
- WarrnamboolWarrnambool, Victoria-Cityscape:The original City of Warrnambool was a 4x8 grid, with boundaries of Lava Street , Japan Street , Merri Street and Henna Street . In the nineteenth century, it was intended that Fairy Street – with its proximity to the Warrnambool Railway Station – would be the main street of...
- WodongaWodonga, VictoriaWodonga is a small city on the Victorian side of the border with New South Wales, north-east of Melbourne, Australia. Adjacent to Wodonga across the border is the New South Wales city of Albury. Wodonga is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Wodonga LGA...