Effective from 12 February 2021
Directions to court users, members of the public and legal profession
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Children’s Courts is:
- Hearing urgent cases remotely by video via ‘Webex’, subject to the current Practice Directions.
- Adjourning non-urgent cases, according to the current Practice Directions.
- Requiring that all documents must be filed electronically with the relevant Children's Court Registry.
If you have a case at the Children’s Court, you should not attend unless directed to do so by a Judicial Officer.
Call the relevant registry for more information and to find out how to join a remote online hearing.
If you have been served with a child protection application by the DFFS, read this information sheet about how to find a lawyer and how to join the remote online hearing.
We have dedicated staff to help court users understand court processes.
Our Court Support Coordinators are available by phone on:
- Melbourne Children’s Court:0428 133 321
- Broadmeadows Children’s Court: 0456 718 527
- Moorabbin Children’s Court: 0447 236 286
Measures
Entry to the Melbourne, Broadmeadows and Moorabbin Children’s Courts is restricted in accordance with the COVID-19 Entry Notice.
If attendance at the Melbourne, Broadmeadows and Moorabbin Children’s Courts is permitted and required, to promote the safety of all court users we have introduced the following measures:
Face masks must be worn at all times.
All staff and judicial officers of the Court have been briefed on individual measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
- Hand sanitisers are available for use throughout Court buildings.
- Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day and overnight.
- Sneeze guards have been installed at all counters.
- Signage indicates how to observe a 1.5m distance at counters, in corridors and waiting areas, and when seated.
- Every enclosed space has been measured and clearly displays the number of people who are permitted to enter to allow 4 square metres per person.
NO person is permitted to enter Children’s Court buildings under any circumstances if they:
- have tested positive for COVID-19
- have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19
- are waiting on the results of a test for COVID-19
- are required to be in isolation or quarantine
- are unwell, (including those with a fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of sense of smell)
Read a statement about the end of COVID-19 circuit breaker restrictions from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT.