The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) provides fair, efficient and affordable justice for the Victorian community. We do this by making decisions about a wide range of cases or by helping people to resolve disputes.
We're part of Victoria's court system, but less formal than a court. You can present your case yourself, without a lawyer.
We help resolve disputes about renting, guardianship, products and services, owners corporations, building and construction, powers of attorney, planning permits, human rights matters, and many more.
We do this by helping people to reach an agreement and settle their case, or we make a decision at a hearing that everyone involved must follow.
External link for VCAT
55 King Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000, AU
VCAT welcomes the appointment of Justice Richard Niall as the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
The Attorney-General has announced that Justice Richard Niall will be the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Read more https://lnkd.in/gAc97TWx #auslaw Parliament of Victoria #Justice Supreme Court of Victoria
This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming two talented interns, Sakina Ehsani and Manar Younan, to VCAT as part of our mentoring program. Guided by the expertise of Senior Member Silvana Wilson and Senior Member Charlie Powles, they are gaining firsthand insights into the workings of VCAT. A highlight for them was a rare opportunity to step into our Presidential Chambers and meet VCAT’s President, Ted Woodward. It was an inspiring moment for the interns, offering them a deeper understanding of leadership, decision-making, and the pivotal role VCAT plays in upholding access to justice. Mentorship is at the heart of fostering the next generation of leaders in law and administration. Programs like this not only empower future professionals but also bring fresh perspectives to our work at VCAT. We’re so proud to be part of their journey and look forward to seeing their contributions to the the legal sector. #Mentorship #Leadership #AccessToJustice #ProfessionalDevelopment Top right image from L-R : Ted Woodward (VCAT President), Sakina Ehsani, James Occleshaw (Snr Advisor to the President), Danielle Attwood (Snr Associate to the President). Bottom left image from L-R : James Occleshaw (Snr Advisor to the President), Ted Woodward (VCAT President), Manar Younan (intern), Danielle Attwood (Snr Associate to the President).
VCAT’s rental dispute backlog has today reached completion. This means that all users with a pending case now have a hearing date scheduled or their case has been heard. The median wait time for residential tenancy disputes is now only six weeks, having peaked at 42 weeks in July 2023. VCAT president Justice Ted Woodward said the milestone is a significant achievement for the Tribunal. “The backlog of residential tenancy bond and compensation cases peaked at 24,000 cases shortly before VCAT’s Backlog Recovery Program began in October 2023. To eliminate that backlog in a little over 12 months has been an extraordinary achievement,” Justice Woodward said. https://lnkd.in/gua6ucMe
Join us! Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join VCAT's service transformation team? VCAT is looking for someone with Power BI experience, and extensive Azure data warehouse experience as well as ability to program in SQL! Knowledge of VCAT operations and policy is advantageous. Closes 11.59pm 25 November 2024. https://lnkd.in/g_VgQT7d #Vacancy #Hiring #Jobs #ServiceTransformation
VCAT is excited to welcome a new member to the Planning and Environment Division, Sarah Porritt. Sarah joins us with over 20 years of experience as a planning environment and administrative barrister with the Victorian Bar. She was joined at her swearing in ceremony by Justice Ted Woodward and Deputy President Teresa Bisucci.
VCAT recognises the achievements of Senior Member Reynah Tang AM 邓 敏 海, one of the newest recipients of the LIV Honorary Life Membership, the highest honour the LIV can bestow on a member. Honorary Life Membership recognises significant achievements, service and contribution to the LIV, legal profession and community over a distinguished career. Congratulations!
Last night, we held our annual LIV Law Awards ceremony, recognising 15 lawyers for their outstanding contributions to the LIV and the broader legal profession. We also recognised individuals who have been members of the Institute for 50 years, 60 years and 65 years, and also hosted the Victorian Magistrates’ Association’s Stephen Myall Award. We thank all involved for their hard work and dedication to the legal community. Congratulations to all recipients! #LIVposts #Lawawards #Legalcommunity Adam Awty Matthew Hibbins https://lnkd.in/gYX_D5zn
VCAT welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement on the establishment of Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV). Launching in June 2025, RDRV provides a fast, cheap, fair one-stop shop for renters and rental providers to resolve their disputes. While RDRV is part of VCAT, it provides new services and ways of working to the previous Residential Tenancies (RT) List operations. We look forward to providing further updates as we move towards the launch of RDRV in 2025. #RDRV #VCAT
We are thrilled to share we’ve received a ‘Green Tick’ Good Design Award in the design research category, in partnership with Meld Studios. The research focused on understanding the needs of our users who are vulnerable to exclusion, which are being addressed in the design of VCAT's new headquarters. This recognition underscores the importance of creating spaces that are accessible and welcoming to everyone. Our commitment to universal design is essential to VCAT's purpose, which is to provide equal access to high-quality justice for Victorians. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gzBhTvFk #GoodDesignAward #InclusiveDesign #DesignResearch #UniversalDesign
VCAT is pleased to be participating in the Victorian Bar's Diversity Internship Program. This December, we will be joined by two interns, Sakhina Ehsani and Manar Younan.
It was a distinguished affair at the launch of the Victorian Bar’s Diversity Internship Program last night. Keynote speaker, her Honour Deputy Chief Judge Mercuri of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), was joined by the Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon of the High Court of Australia, the Honourable Chief Justice Debra Mortimer of the Federal Court of Australia, the Honourable Chief Justice Anne Ferguson of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and other members of the legal profession to mark the occasion. Deputy Chief Judge Mercuri spoke about the significant role diversity plays in maintaining the community’s confidence in the judiciary and commended the Bar for its initiative, which is the first of its kind in Australia. This year, thanks to the support of the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of Victoria, the County Court of Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, we were able to double the number of paid internships. Congratulations to the six successful candidates: Mehdi Alizada, Abuk Demo, Sakhina Ehsani, Tam Kumail, Thivika Srikantha and Manar Younan – some of whom had to flee persecution with their families and resettle in Australia as refugees. They will soon begin work alongside barristers and judicial officers and should be very proud of what they have achieved so far. We are privileged to be able to play a part in their early legal career.
VCAT's Planning and Environment Division is excited to announce the release an ongoing information series that sets out key findings of significant practice day decisions. Practice day hearings deal with directions, interim orders or procedural applications in the Planning List and Environment and Resources List. During these hearings, a tribunal member makes key decisions about how the dispute will be managed. This can include resolving procedural issues before a main hearing, deciding on any legal issues that arise, and making a final order to resolve a dispute. Visit https://lnkd.in/gzE6A9_2 to find out more. #VCAT #justice