SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR August 2017 To Her Excellency Linda Dessau AC, Governor of the state of Victoria and its Dependencies in the Commonwealth of Australia. Dear Governor, We, the judges of the Supreme Court of Victoria, have the honour of presenting our Annual Report pursuant to the provisions of the Supreme Court Act 1986 with respect to the financial year 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. Yours sincerely, Marilyn L Warren AC The Honourable Chief Justice Supreme Court of Victoria ABOUT THE COVER As part of the 175th anniversary celebrations, the Court was lit up in shades of red, gold and white from 12 April to 22 May 2016. Published by the Supreme Court of Victoria Melbourne, Victoria, Australia August 2017 © Supreme Court of Victoria ISSN 1839-6062 Authorised by the Supreme Court of Victoria. This report is also published on the Court’s website: www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au ENQUIRIES Supreme Court of Victoria 210 William Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: 03 9603 6111 Email:
[email protected] CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 CHIEF JUSTICE’S MESSAGE 20 WORK OF THE SUPREME COURT 21 Court of Appeal 24 Trial Division – Commercial Court 4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT 31 Trial Division – Common Law 41 Trial Division – Criminal 5 AT A GLANCE 45 Further judicial work 6 About the Supreme Court of Victoria 7 The Work of the Court 49 SERVICE DELIVERY STRUCTURE 8 Court of Appeal 50 Court of Appeal Registry 9 Trial Division 51 Commercial Court Registry 10 Court Fees 53 Principal Registry 56 Court