MCV pending caseload as at the end of December 2022

The number of pending cases at the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria increased during 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A pending case is a matter that has been listed but is yet to be finalised.

As court operations were temporarily impacted early in the pandemic, the number of pending matters rose to a peak of 145,512 in December 2020.

Since then, the pending caseload has declined, with 94,445 matters pending at 31 December 2022.

The court has decreased pending cases by 51,000 cases since the peak recorded in December 2020, moving closer the pre-pandemic pending figure of 71,952.

The use of online hearings, modernised court practice and expanded powers for judicial registrars enabled the court to maintain access to justice and progress matters through the system in a timely manner.