JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS) ACT 2021 (NO. 11 OF 2021) - SECT 56 New section 125A inserted

JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS) ACT 2021 (NO. 11 OF 2021) - SECT 56

After section 125 of the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 insert —

        " 125A     Court may determine matter or proceeding without oral hearing

    (1)     The court may determine any matter in any proceeding, or determine any proceeding, without an oral hearing and entirely on the basis of written submissions and without the appearance of the parties—

        (a)     if the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so; and

        (b)     whether or not the parties consent to the court doing so.

    (2)     Subsection (1) does not apply to a criminal proceeding or a matter in a criminal proceeding.

Note

Section 337A of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 provides similarly for criminal proceedings. See also section 201 of that Act.

    (3)     For the purposes of subsection (1), in determining whether it is in the interests of justice to determine a matter or a proceeding without an oral hearing, the court shall have regard to—

        (a)     the nature of the matter or proceeding; and

        (b)     the right to a fair hearing; and

        (c)     whether the parties have had the opportunity to obtain legal advice; and

        (d)     whether the parties consent to the court doing so.

    (4)     Nothing in this section affects any other power of the court to determine a matter or a proceeding without an oral hearing.".

Part 9—Amendment of Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998