Melbourne Magistrates' Court, Primary courthouse in central business district, Melbourne, Australia
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court is a courthouse on William Street in Melbourne's central business district, handling a wide range of civil and criminal cases. It has several courtrooms and specialized divisions, each set up to deal with a particular type of proceeding.
The courthouse opened in 1989 as part of a broad effort to modernize Victoria's legal system. It was built to bring together and streamline the handling of both criminal and civil matters in a single, purpose-built facility.
The Koori Court is a section of the building where Elders and community members from Aboriginal communities take part directly in the proceedings. Watching a session there gives a clear sense of how justice can be approached through conversation rather than pure formality.
The courthouse sits in the heart of Melbourne and is easy to reach by public transport from most parts of the city. Anyone planning to attend a hearing should check the entry requirements and any relevant procedures beforehand, as these can vary depending on the type of case.
The courthouse runs an Assessment and Referral Court for defendants who have a mental health condition or a cognitive impairment. In that section, judges work closely with health professionals rather than following a standard courtroom format, making the proceedings notably different from what most visitors would expect.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
