Highlight Events on the Day Include

12 May 2014

Courts and tribunals in Melbourne will throw open their doors for a series of events, tours, exhibitions and mock trials for Courts Open Day on Saturday 17 May 2014.

The Supreme Court, County Court, Coroners Court, Magistrates Court and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will all hold special events in the Melbourne CBD’s law precinct on the corner of William and Lonsdale Streets.

On Courts Open Day, judges and magistrates will be available to talk to people and answer questions about legal proceedings in a relaxed and informal setting. All events are free and designed to give members of the public, including students, an insight into the workings of the justice system.

Highlight events on the day include:

·  “I Object, Your Honour!” A Judge’s Guide to a real Supreme Court trial – held in the Supreme Court.

·  Meet the Judges Q&A – an interactive discussion where Supreme Court justices will talk about the broad work of the Court and life on and off the Bench.

·  One Punch – A Lifetime of Consequence panel discussion at the County Court – moderated by ABC reporter Sarah Farnsworth, panellists include President of the Court of Appeal Justice Maxwell, Judge Gucciardo and State Coroner Judge Gray.

·  Saying ‘No’ to Family Violence – The Magistrates’ Court will be facilitating an interactive information session based on intervention order proceedings that come before the Court and to demonstrate what the Court and other agencies are doing to say no to family violence.

·  Taking it to VCAT – tips on how to prepare for a hearing, what to bring and how to present your case. This booked out event is held at William Cooper Justice Centre.

The Coroners Court will also host a special exhibition in the William Cooper Justice Centre, Catastrophic Collapse: A Look Back at the Collapse of the West Gate Bridge. The Court has opened its archives to mark the 44th anniversary of the fall of the West Gate Bridge in October 1970, which claimed 35 lives. The exhibition features historical photographs and documents instrumental in the coronial investigation into the catastrophic collapse.

The Supreme, County and Magistrates’ Courts will also offer tours of the courtrooms and facilities including the historic Supreme Court Library and dungeon tours. The Juries Commissioner will also demystify jury service, and information will be available about the legal sector from Victoria Law Foundation and the Court Network volunteering program. At the County Court, there will be a fundraising barbecue in the forecourt from 12 noon, and performances by the Victorian Bar Community Choir and Melbourne Lawyers’ Orchestra from 1pm in Waldron Hall

Open Day is a highlight event in the Law Week calendar, from 12 to 18 May. For the full program, and for bookings, visit http://www.everyday-law.org.au/events/courts-open-day.

For media inquiries about Courts Open Day, please contact Kerry O’Shea on (03) 8636 6272 or email