County Court of Victoria
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The County Court of Victoria 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.
History
The Victorian County Court (as it is sometimes known) was formed in 1852. It was modelled on the British County Courts which had been established in 1846. The courts principal goal 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 courts power has risen and its jurisdiction has widened, proportionate to the claims it addresses.Jurisdiction
The Jurisdiction of the County Court (in Victoria) extends to:- All claims for personal injuries, irrespective of the amount claimed.
- Other personal actions where the amount claimed does not exceed $200,000.
- 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.
Fellow Courts
The other courts of the Victorian Legal System are the Magistrates Court of Victoria and the Supreme Court of Victoria. The Supreme Court is the highest judicially in Victoria whilst the County Court is intermediate and the Magistrates Court is the lowest. The court is low in the Australian court hierarchy. The law courts for the Commonwealth of Australia supersede the Supreme Court and all other regional courts in areas where their legislation is specified, such as the High Court's sole ability to interpret the Australian Constitution.The County Court of Victoria is the last remaining 'County Court' (under that name) in Australia.
See also
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