The Magistrates’ Court is the busiest court in Victoria and it hears most cases going to court across the state (over 250,000 cases were finalised in 2015-16).

There are Magistrates’ Courts in over 50 locations across the state that handle criminal, civil and family law. This includes family violence and personal safety intervention orders, drug matters, bail and less serious criminal matters such as shoplifting and traffic offences (more serious offences are heard in the County and Supreme Courts). There are no juries involved in hearings, only one Magistrate.