Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) gives you the right to request access to documents held by Court Services Victoria (CSV).
Please note: The FOI Act does not apply to court documents. Each court and VCAT has its own arrangements to enable the public to request access to those documents. If you are seeking access to court files or registers, transcripts, judgments, sentencing remarks, decisions or orders, please refer to the information on the website of the relevant court or VCAT via the following links:
- Supreme Court of Victoria
- County Court of Victoria
- Magistrates' Court of Victoria
- Children's Court of Victoria
- Coroners Court of Victoria
- VCAT
If you make a FOI request to Court Services Victoria for court documents you will be referred back to the relevant court or VCAT.
How to make a request
FOI requests for documents held by Court Services Victoria must be in writing. You can make a request online or by emailing foi@courts.vic.gov.au.
For further Information on how to make a freedom of information request or costs involved, please visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) website.
Collection Notice
CSV is collecting your information in accordance with the FOI Act to process any FOI requests you submit to CSV.
CSV handles your personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic), Public Records Act 1973 (Vic) and other applicable legislation.
Collection of personal information
CSV may collect the following personal information from you to process your FOI request:
- Your full name
- Your contact details
- Any personal information in your proof of identity documents (e.g. Australian Drivers Licence, Health Care Card or passport)
Consequences of not providing your personal information
If you do not provide your personal information as part of your FOI request submission, it may not be possible for CSV to process your FOI request. CSV may need to contact you to discuss the terms of your request and/or to provide you with the documents that you have requested.
Access and Correction
You are entitled to access and correct your personal information. If you would like to access or correct the information you have provided, please contact the CSV Privacy Coordinator at privacy@courts.vic.gov.au.
Part II Information Statement
CSV is required by Part II of the FOI Act to publish the below statements. These statements provide a snapshot of the types of information and documents that CSV holds, how to access this information and locate publicly available information, and how to make a request for access under the FOI Act. Click below to expand each statement to read more.
Statement 1: Organisation and functions
Click here to view Statement 1Function
Court Services Victoria (CSV) is a statutory body corporate established under the Court Services Victoria Act 2014 (Vic). The function of CSV is to provide the administrative services and facilities necessary or desirable to support the Victorian courts and tribunals:
- Supreme Court of Victoria
- County Court of Victoria
- Magistrates' Court of Victoria
- Children's Court of Victoria
- Coroners Court of Victoria
- Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
CSV also provides administrative services and facilities to enable the Judicial College of Victoria and the Judicial Commission of Victoria to perform their functions.
In performing its functions, CSV does not provide services directly to the public.
Organisation
The Courts Council is CSV's governing body. It is comprised of the heads of jurisdiction of each court and VCAT and directs CSV's strategy, governance and risk management.
For more information about CSV's organisation, please visit CSV's Organisation Chart.
Each court and tribunal are separate and distinct entities, with their own governing councils, internal arrangements, and rule-making responsibilities.
Statement 2: Categories of documents
Click here to view Statement 2CSV creates and stores a range of electronic and hardcopy documents in the course of its work. The types of documents that CSV holds include corporate and administrative records such as:
- Policies, procedures and planning
- Briefings and reports
- Financial records
- Administrative registers
- Employee records
- Correspondence
The documents in CSV's possession relate to its function to provide administrative services and facilities to support the Victorian courts and tribunals.
Statement 3: Freedom of Information arrangements
Click here to view Statement 3The FOI Act provides you with the right to request documents held by CSV.
Before you make a request
Please note that if you are seeking access to court or tribunal documents, you should not make an FOI request to CSV. CSV is an agency under the FOI Act, but the Victorian courts and tribunals are not.
Additionally, the FOI Act does not apply to the court's judicial functions. Examples of court and tribunal documents that are not subject to the FOI Act include:
- court files
- court registers
- transcripts of court proceedings
- audio-visual recordings of court proceedings
- judgements
- sentencing remarks
- decisions or orders
If you make an FOI request to CSV for court or tribunal documents, you will be directed to contact the relevant court or tribunal.
Each court and tribunal has its own arrangements to enable a person to access its documents. If you are seeking access to any of the above court documents, please refer to the information on the website of the relevant court or VCAT via the following links:
- Supreme Court of Victoria
- County Court of Victoria
- Magistrates' Court of Victoria
- Children's Court of Victoria
- Coroners Court of Victoria
- VCAT
Making an FOI request
You can make an FOI request to CSV online or by emailing foi@courts.vic.gov.au.
To be valid, a request must be:
- made in writing
- clearly describe the information or document you are seeking access to; and
- be accompanied by the application fee or a request for a fee waiver with evidence of financial hardship, such as a copy of your health care card.
If CSV cannot clearly identify the information or documents you are requesting, CSV will contact you within 21 days to clarify your request. An FOI request cannot be processed until the terms of the request are clear.
Once your request is valid, CSV will process your request and provide you with a decision as soon as possible within 30 days.
CSV may need to extend the 30 day period by up to an additional 15 days if consultation with third parties is required.
For more information about Freedom of Information in Victoria, please visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner's website.
Statement 4: Publications
Click here to view Statement 4CSV's publications can be accessed through the Publications page.
CSV also publishes general information on the Victorian court system and past and present court development projects on the Projects page.
If you are searching for a specific topic, you can search this website, use the site map or contact us.
Statement 5: Policies and procedures
Click here to view Statement 5In performing its functions, CSV does not provide services directly to the public.
CSV policies and procedures impacting members of the public will be provided as appropriate.
Statement 6: Report literature
Click here to view Statement 6CSV does not have literature available by way of subscription services or free mailing lists or maintain a library or reading room that is available for public use.
This page was last updated: Monday 12 February 2024 - 10:41am