Courts face case overload

Worst in 20 years – lawyer

THE state’s court system and Geelong’s Magistrates Court is drowning in a massive backlog of tens of thousands of cases, with one local lawyer saying it is the worst it has been in her 20-year career.

Despite calls to introduce evening and weekend sittings in a bid to address the backlog, the region’s court says there are no plans to expand court sitting times.

Serious cases of family violence meant to be prioritised and dealt with expeditiously are lingering in the Geelong system for up to 18 months, while other criminal matters are being adjourned to June.

Long-time Geelong criminal defence lawyer Wendy Gibbons, who has more than 20 years’ legal experience, has watched the backlog of cases steadily rise.

“I think it’s the worst it has been in Geelong and similarly Ballarat,” she said this month.

Western Victoria MP Stuart Grimley has called for the state government to put more resources into addressing the backlog where 180,000 cases are before courts statewide.

“It seems that most of the government’s resources are solely focused on eliminating Covid-19, and our courts are being left behind,” Mr Grimley said.

The state government recently appointed more County Court judges but legal sources say some cases in the court could take up to two years to be finalised.

A Magistrates Court spokeswoman said there were no plans to expand the bail and remand court, “but we regularly review the workloads in each of our regions to determine how they can best manage demand”.

Mr Grimley said that earlier in the year the government promised funding to deal with court backlogs.

“(Millions have been) allocated to the justice system, but we are yet to see any great benefit from these funds including reductions in backlogs,” he said. “Cases aren’t being heard for upwards of 18 months, victims are being left in limbo and justice can’t be served.

“I’m also yet to see how much funding the Geelong courthouse will get for its upgrade. The government has told me that ‘upgrades are subject to final scoping work, and will be available at a later date’. We need this upgrade urgently.”

The 2021-22 state budget allocated $77.6m to build specialist family violence courts at locations including Geelong.

Asked for a timeline for the delivery of the Geelong family violence court earlier this month, a government spokeswoman said planning was “well under way”. The state government has committed about $8m to help more women access legal advice and resolve matters outside of court, and $130m to overhaul the court system statewide.

A Magistrates Court spokeswoman said more cases would return to court after the easing of Covid restrictions.

“The Geelong Magistrates Court has continued to hear matters online during the coronavirus pandemic, including committals,” she said.