Melbourne Magistrates' Court
Encyclopedia
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court is a venue of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria. It is a court
in Melbourne, Australia that deals with a range of criminal offences, money claims and disputes up to $100,000 and family violence and family law proceedings. It is the largest venue of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria.
). There has been a magistrate in Victoria essentially since 1836, when the people of Melbourne elected an Arbitrator of the city to resolve minor disputes.
A Police Magistrate, Captain Lonsdale
was appointed also in 1836 and the first case was heard at a location near the present site of Southern Cross (Spencer Street) Station.
In 1838 a third court, the Court of Petty Sessions was created. And all three types of Courts by 1890 were held at 235 locations throughout Victoria.
On 20 January 1914, the new City Court at Russell St. was opened in Melbourne, and Phillip Blashki
, J.P. was the first Chairman of the City Court Bench. The Prime Minister Alfred Deakin
presented Blashki with an illuminated address signed by 30 of the court's solicitors when he retired, aged 70.
Police Magistrates were able to sit in on Petty Court sessions, but generally two or three Justices of the Peace were required for cases to be heard. The Court of Petty Sessions, also originally attended to matters under 20 pounds, and even criminal matters, like drunkenness and minor assaults.
On the 29 May 2000, a Deed of Apology was signed for the treatment of Aboriginal peoples, which tied in with National Sorry Day
actions, by the Chief Magistrate and Principal Registrar on behalf of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria. The Deed was received at the Wangaratta courthouse, by Wally Cooper. Walking Together website
In 2000 the Chief Magistrate of the Court Mr Michael Adams was forced to stand down on the 31st October 2000, after claims that he harassed female members of his court. This was reported on The 7:30 report and was also reported in the Melbourne newspapers, causing the extraordinary vote.
On January 20, 1914 three courts were opened on the corners of LaTrobe
and Lonsdale
streets: The City Court, The District Court and a third Emergency Court. A feature of the District Court is a wooden canopy over the seat upon which the Magistrate sits. This canopy was taken from old Supreme Court which had originally been located at the site.
The Court relocated to its current address on William Street
in 1995, and since then the Old Magistrates' Court building has been annexed as part of RMIT University
and is used for lectures.
Court
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
in Melbourne, Australia that deals with a range of criminal offences, money claims and disputes up to $100,000 and family violence and family law proceedings. It is the largest venue of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria.
Brief history
Though the current court inception is established by the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 (Parliament of VictoriaParliament of Victoria
The Parliament of Victoria is the bicameral legislature of the Australian state of Victoria. It follows a Westminster-derived parliamentary system and consists of The Queen, represented by the Governor of Victoria; the Legislative Council ; and the Legislative Assembly...
). There has been a magistrate in Victoria essentially since 1836, when the people of Melbourne elected an Arbitrator of the city to resolve minor disputes.
A Police Magistrate, Captain Lonsdale
Lonsdale
-People:*Angela Lonsdale*Bruce Lonsdale*Christopher Lonsdale*Corrine Lonsdale*David Lonsdale*Derrick Lonsdale*Earl of Lonsdale*Edmund Lonsdale*Frederick Lonsdale, English dramatist*Gordon Arnold Lonsdale*Gordon Lonsdale*Harvey Lonsdale Elmes...
was appointed also in 1836 and the first case was heard at a location near the present site of Southern Cross (Spencer Street) Station.
In 1838 a third court, the Court of Petty Sessions was created. And all three types of Courts by 1890 were held at 235 locations throughout Victoria.
On 20 January 1914, the new City Court at Russell St. was opened in Melbourne, and Phillip Blashki
Phillip Blashki
Phillip Blashki was a Polish immigrant to Australia who rose to be a successful businessman, magistrate, J.P., holder of many positions of public responsibility and associated with numerous community and charitable events in Melbourne.-Youth:Phillip was born Favel Wagczewski in Błaszki, a Polish...
, J.P. was the first Chairman of the City Court Bench. The Prime Minister Alfred Deakin
Alfred Deakin
Alfred Deakin , Australian politician, was a leader of the movement for Australian federation and later the second Prime Minister of Australia. In the last quarter of the 19th century, Deakin was a major contributor to the establishment of liberal reforms in the colony of Victoria, including the...
presented Blashki with an illuminated address signed by 30 of the court's solicitors when he retired, aged 70.
Police Magistrates were able to sit in on Petty Court sessions, but generally two or three Justices of the Peace were required for cases to be heard. The Court of Petty Sessions, also originally attended to matters under 20 pounds, and even criminal matters, like drunkenness and minor assaults.
Recent history
National Sorry Day
The National Sorry Day is an Australian event, held each year on 26 May since 1998, to express regret over the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples. The day was chosen in commemoration of the Bringing Them Home report being handed to the federal government on 26 May 1997. It is not an...
actions, by the Chief Magistrate and Principal Registrar on behalf of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria. The Deed was received at the Wangaratta courthouse, by Wally Cooper. Walking Together website
In 2000 the Chief Magistrate of the Court Mr Michael Adams was forced to stand down on the 31st October 2000, after claims that he harassed female members of his court. This was reported on The 7:30 report and was also reported in the Melbourne newspapers, causing the extraordinary vote.
Court Buildings Lonsdale and LaTrobe Streets
On January 20, 1914 three courts were opened on the corners of LaTrobe
La Trobe Street, Melbourne
La Trobe Street is a major street in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs roughly from east to west and forms the northern boundary of the CBD ....
and Lonsdale
Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Lonsdale Street is located in the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, part of the Hoddle Grid, it runs roughly east-west. Lonsdale Street's eastern end intersects with Spring Street while its western end intersects with Spencer Street. It is home to multiple office buildings, courts,...
streets: The City Court, The District Court and a third Emergency Court. A feature of the District Court is a wooden canopy over the seat upon which the Magistrate sits. This canopy was taken from old Supreme Court which had originally been located at the site.
The Court relocated to its current address on William Street
William Street, Melbourne
William Street is a major street in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs roughly north-south from Flinders Street to Victoria Street, and is located in the western half of the Hoddle Grid....
in 1995, and since then the Old Magistrates' Court building has been annexed as part of RMIT University
RMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
and is used for lectures.