Information and resources

Factsheet: Overview of County Court role

This fact sheet explains the County Court's history, role and place within the Victorian legal system. It gives an overview of the kinds of cases it deals with through our different divisions (criminal, common law and commercial) and outlines our role as an appeal court. It also discusses the different kinds of laws we apply.

Factsheet

Learn

Factsheet: Mental illness and the Criminal law

This explains the two main ways in which mental illness becomes an issue in criminal trials. Using case examples, it details when an accused is deemed unfit to stand trial due to mental illness. It also examines the defence of mental impairment, when an accused may argue they cannot be held criminally responsible for their behaviour due to their mental state at the time of offending.

Factsheet

Learn

Factsheet: Key organisations in the Victorian legal sector

This outlines the many organisations that help us deliver justice, including government departments and legal bodies such as the Victorian Bar. It explains the role of the Office of Public Prosecutions and details organisations that assist people in dealing with the Court.

Factsheet

Learn

Factsheet: Criminal trial process

This outlines how a criminal trial is conducted and explains the typical processes involved, from committal hearing to sentencing. It also provides a recent case to illustrate these concepts.

Factsheet

Learn

Factsheet: County Koori Court

This provides an overview of the first Australian specialist court for indigenous offenders in a higher jurisdiction. It explains the need for such a court and the way it delivers justice with the help of Aboriginal Elders and other Respected Persons.

Factsheet

Learn

Factsheet: County Court and law reform

This looks at the law reform framework and the role we play in the process led by the Victorian Parliament. It includes examples of recent law reforms and discusses the conventions and laws governing our relationship with the media, including the reporting of judgments, suppression orders and contempt of court.

Factsheet

Learn

Factsheet: County Court work and key personnel

This outlines the difference between civil and criminal cases and gives an overview of the types of people at court, from court staff to the people involved in trials. It defines our most commonly used legal terms and explains key legal procedures.

Factsheet

Learn

Factsheet: Civil trial process

This outlines how a civil trial is conducted, including the choice of judge or jury. 1806 approved

Factsheet

Learn

Factsheet: Appointment, role and powers of judges

This examines our judges and court hierarchy, from Chief Judge to non-judicial officers.

Factsheet

Learn

Australian Red Cross: Forced Marriage in Australia

Videos created with and for communities affected by forced marriage in Victoria.

Website

Learn

Factsheet: Access to justice and dispute resolution

This is about the fundamental principle of access to justice. It examines the barriers to justice faced by some members of the community and the measures we are taking to address the impact of disadvantage.

Factsheet

Learn

About the Drug Court

Overview of the Drug Court - an alternative approach to sentencing.

Resource Hub

Learn

Dr Grant and his underpants

A fully scripted model mediation designed to show students the procedure for the mediation of a dispute. Based on the real case of Grant v Australian Knitting Mills Limited. Also demonstrates the effectiveness of mediation as a method of dispute resolution.

Teaching Kit

Learn

Donoghue v Stevenson: the snail in the bottle case

A brief video outlining the facts of the case, and the three legal precedents that came about from it

Case Study

Learn

Constitution Education: Does Australia need a Charter of Rights?

An article discussing the Constitution's Protection of rights and whether Austrlia needs a Charter of Human rights

Article

Learn

Do we have a constitutional right to protest?

An article discussing the decision of the High Court decision in Brown v Tasmania abour the implied right to political communication

Article

Learn

Diversion programs

Information on being granted a diversion program.

Snapshot

Learn

County Court Educational Resources

New County Court resources for Legal Studies teachers and students which includes fact sheets, films, virtual tour and case studies.

Resource Hub

Learn

Culpable Driving - Mock Trial for Year 10's (National Trust)

The National Trust of Victoria's new Culpable Driving Court Room Drama looks at the case of a young man, Kim Tran, who was charged with culpable driving in the County Court. The case is based on a real case, but names, dates and details have been changed to maintain the confidentiality of the original participants. This program includes new video projections and an updated script. This courtroom drama was launched in February 2016 and was funded by a grant from the Victoria Law Foundation.

Excursion

Learn

County Court fact sheets

14 fact sheets covering a broad range of the County Court's work. Each directly responds to the VCE Legal Studies curriculum.

Resource Hub

Learn

County Court Civil case scenario video - Introduction

This series tracks the progress of a civil law matter involving a workplace injury. It introduces key stakeholders in the civil courtroom.

Video

Learn

Constitutional Referendum Brochure

This brochure provides an outline of the referendum process, how Australia is a federation of states and has a national parliament. It includes a complete list of all referendums, and their outcomes, to date.

Handout

Learn

Civil Juries Charge Book

A comprehensive resource to aid in researching the elements, defences, and origins of a civil offence

Report

Learn

Who Really Decides? Rethinking Australia’s Treaty Powers and the Constitution

Contains a summary of the most important cases on the external affairs power and how it is used to implement international treaty obligations (paragraphs 5.3-5.61); summary of the extent of the Commonwealth's external affairs power (paragraphs 5.62-5.65)

Report

Learn