4.1.2 Jurisdiction

Question 1

Original Jurisdiction:

Answer 1

The power or authority given to a court to hear a case at first instance

Question 2

Appellate Jurisdiction:

Answer 2

The power or authority given to a court to hear cases on appeal from lower courts.

Question 3

Magistrates Court OJ Civil:

Answer 3

Up to $100,000

Question 4

Magistrates Court OJ Criminal:

Answer 4

• Summary Offences (e.g. Traffic offences)
• Indictable Offences heard summarily (e.g. Robbery)
• Committal hearings

Question 5

Magistrates Court AJ:

Answer 5

None

Question 6

County Court OJ Civil:

Answer 6

Unlimited

Question 7

County Court OJ Criminal:

Answer 7

All indictable offences except those reserved for the Supreme Court (e.g. Armed robbery, rape)

Question 8

County Court AJ Civil:

Answer 8

None, except where provided by statute

Question 9

County Court AJ Criminal:

Answer 9

From Magistrate’s Court and Children’s Court on convictions and sentences

Question 10

Supreme Court (Trial Division) OJ Civil:

Answer 10

Unlimited

Question 11

Supreme Court (Trial Division) OJ Criminal:

Answer 11

Most serious indictable offences E.g. Murder

Question 12

Supreme Court (Trial Division) AJ Civil:

Answer 12

From Magistrates’ Court and VCAT on points of law

Question 13

Supreme Court (Trial Division) AJ Criminal:

Answer 13

From Magistrates Court on points of law

Question 14

Supreme Court (Court of Appeals) OJ:

Answer 14

None

Question 15

Supreme Court (Court of Appeals) AJ Civil:

Answer 15

From County Court, single judge of Supreme Court and VCAT (where constituted by president or vice president) on points of law, questions of fact and amount of damages.

Question 16

Supreme Court (Court of Appeals) AJ Criminal:

Answer 16

From County Court and single judges of Supreme Court on points of law, conviction or sentence.