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Victoria receives $23.1m boost for court recovery
Victorian courts and family violence services have received a large investment that will assist the justice system with its recovery post-COVID.
Naomi Neilson
The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) said the investment is a “timely response” to the ongoing challenges caused by the global pandemic and would give the courts and justice system greater flexibility, particularly with the expansion of the specialist family violence legal services model.
The LIV also welcomed the additional funding to address ongoing delays.
“The pandemic has highlighted the need for greater investment in technology to support the administration and access to justice across Victoria,” he said.
“The justice system has made great strides since March transforming into a digital world, however, greater investment in staff across the Magistrates’ Court and Children’s Court and VCAT will only serve to enable more hearings to be heard online enhancing the experience for those involved.”
Mr Pandya added that further appointments of judicial registrars and support staff are welcome and necessary to allow the appropriate management of backlogs in the Magistrates and Children’s courts while also enabling the Coroners Court to “swiftly address matters for grieving Victorians impacted by deaths in aged care”.
The LIV has also welcomed additional funding for Victorian Legal Aid Help Before Court service, which assists people to prepare before their court dates online.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
