The judicial officers of the Supreme Court of Victoria are its judges, associate judges and judicial registrars. For a current list of our judiciary see our Judicial Organisational Chart.
To contact a judicial officer of the Supreme Court, visit the Judicial Support Contacts page.
The past judges and associate judges page lists all past judicial officers dating back to 1852.
Judges
Judges preside over court proceedings, either alone, as part of a panel or with a jury. Most importantly they are impartial decision-makers in the pursuit of justice. The judge provides an independent and impartial assessment of the facts and how the law applies to those facts. Their role is to interpret the law, assess the evidence and control how hearings and trials are conducted.
How judges are appointed
Supreme Court judges are appointed by the Governor of Victoria upon recommendation by the Attorney-General after consultation with the Chief Justice. Judges must retire when they reach the age of 70.
View the list of current Supreme Court judges.
Reserve judges
Reserve judges are either retired or interstate judges who have been appointed as reserve judges of the Supreme Court under the Constitution Act 1975. Appointments are made by the Governor in Council for a period of five years with engagements to undertake the duties of a judge of the Court made by the Chief Justice during that period.
Associate judges
Associate judges hear and resolve a range of applications in the Common Law Division and Commercial Court. These include applications that arise before a trial, interlocutory matters that are heard during a trial, or they could be final in nature.
Associate judges also preside over trial proceedings, both within their original jurisdiction, and as referred by judges of the Trial Division. This empowers associate judges to hear legally complex matters that are urgent, or unexpected applications that arise prior to trial.
Additionally, associate judges have the authority to hear and determine certain civil matters and make decisions on applications to appeal from lower courts.
You can learn more about the Supreme Court's associate judges including how they are appointed.
Judicial registrars
Judicial registrars hear and determine applications made under various legislative provisions and the Court’s Rules, conduct directions hearings and play an integral role as judicial mediators in the Court’s judicial mediation program. In performing these functions, judicial registrars have an important role in the case management of proceedings and assist in managing the workload of the Court in an efficient way.
Judges of the Court can also refer any matter (not otherwise within the authority of a judicial registrar) to a judicial registrar for hearing and determination.
Judicial registrars are appointed by the Governor-in-Council on the recommendation of the Attorney-General. They are assigned, by the Chief Justice, to all Divisions of the Court, as well as to the Court of Appeal, the Costs Court and Funds in Court.
Registrar of Criminal Appeals
The registrar's role is to work with the parties to prepare an appeal for hearing before judges of the Court of Appeal. The registrar of the Court of Appeal will often hear and determine various applications relating to an appeal, prior to the hearing of the actual appeal.
Registrar of the Court of Appeal
The registrar of the Court of Appeal also has general responsibility for the registry of the Court of Appeal; constant liaison with the President and frequent contact with the other judges of the Court of Appeal; and general responsibility for all matters arising in the civil jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal, including applications to an associate judge.