Civil matters
The Magistrates’ Court can hear civil disputes up to the value of $100,000 arising from debts, claims for damages, other monetary disputes or equitable relief.
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Starting a civil matter
A civil matter starts when a person or organisation - called the plaintiff - files a complaint with the court. The person or organisation who the complaint is against is called the defendant.
Defending a civil matter
You will be known as the defendant if you respond to a civil complaint.
Default judgments
When a court order is made without a hearing, it is called a default judgment. This occurs when the defendant does not respond to a complaint.
Appeals and rehearings
If you do not agree with a final order or were not in court when a final order was made, you may be able to appeal or apply for a rehearing.
Service of court documents
Service is the legal term to describe the giving of court documents by one person to another.
Other civil applications
You can apply for a court order to help with the procedure and preparation of a case.
Industrial Division
A division of the Magistrates’ Court that deals with disputes by an employee against an employer.
WorkCover Division
A division of the Magistrates’ Court that generally deals with disputes between an employee and their employer or the Victorian WorkCover Authority.
Fencing disputes
Under the Fences Act 1968 the property owner and the neighbour are equally responsible for any dividing fence.
Civil judgments
The Magistrates' Court of Victoria publishes select civil judgments on the Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII) website.
Civil fees
Some civil processes at the Magistrates’ Court require fees to be paid.
